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GARMENTS OF PRAISE 



BY THE SAME AUTHOR 
Long Will: A Romance 

The most perfect imaginative recon- 
struction of the Mediaeval England of 
Piers Plowman which has yet appeared. 
Already a classic. 

In Everyman's Library 



The House of Prayer 

Never have the joy and the beauty 
of the Church's traditions and prac- 
tices been so delightfully expressed as 
in these delicate and lovely stories of 
the little boy and his angel. 

With 8 Illustrations 
by Margaret Ely Webb 



E. P. BUTTON & COMPANY 
NEW YORK CITY 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

A Miracle Cycle 



BY 

FLORENCE CONVERSE 




NEW YORK 

E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY 

681 FIFTH AVENUE 



Copyright, 1917, 1921, by 
E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY 



All Bights Reserved 






%*\* 






SEP 20 I9*i 



Printed in the United States of America 



©CI.A622871 



THE CYCLE 

PAGE 

I. The Blessed Birthday 

A Christmas Miracle Play i 

II. Thy Kingdom Come 

A Dream for Easter Even 49 

III. Soul's Medicine 

A Whitsuntide Miracle of Healing 97 

IV. Santa Conversazione 

An All Saints Miracle 169 



NOTE 

The first performances of The Blessed Birth- 
day and Santa Conversazione were given in 19 19, 
at the Bennett School, Millbrook, New York, 
with Edith Wynne Matthison as the American 
Soldier in Santa Conversazione, and Charles Rann 
Kennedy as the Spirit of Tolstoi. The Blessed 
Birthday was first published by Messrs. E. P. 
Dutton & Company, New York, and Messrs. 
J. M. Dent & Sons, London, in 191 7. Thy 
Kingdom Come is included in the Cycle by the 
courtesy of The Atlantic Monthly. 



I 

The Blessed Birthday 

A Christmas Miracle Play 



What gift shall we bring to thee, 
Christ, since thou as Man on earth 
hast shewn thyself for us, since every 
creature made by thee brings to thee 
its thanksgiving? The angels bring 
their song, the Heavens bring their 
star, the Magi bring their gifts, the 
shepherds^bring their awe, earth gives 
a cave, the wilderness a manger: and 
we the Virgin Mother bring. God be- 
fore all worlds, have mercy upon us! 
Amen. 

First Vespers of Christmas 
in the Greek Church. 



The People in the Play 

The Angels: 

The Angel of the Annunciation 
The Angel of the Nativity 
The Angel of the Resurrection 

The Holy Family: 

Joseph 

Mary 

Jesus 

The Children: 

John the Baptist 

Abner 

Hezekiah 

Tobias 

Eli 

Ruth 

Miriam 

Leah 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Wedding Party: 

The Bride 

The Bridegroom 

The Parents of the Bride and Bridegroom 

The Guests 

The Place: 

Village houses, low, white, and windowless, ' 
with flat roofs, stand about a well in an open . 
place in Nazareth. At the left is the house of 
the Bridegroom, with a rich eastern carpet laid 
down over the doorsteps, and an embroidered 
silk curtain hanging before the door. In the 
center, at the rear, is Joseph's house. The car- 
penter's bench can be seen within the wide 
doorway, and there are shavings littered about 
the steps. An outside stair crosses the front 
of the house, going up from the right of the 
door, to the roof. At the right is the house 
where Abner, Ruth, and little Eli live. The 
well is of stones, with a seat built out from the 
base and running round it. The Angel of the 
Annunciation, tall, and immortally young, 
stands at the left of Joseph's door. He wears 
4 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

the livery of the Holy Ghost: the flame color 
of Pentecost covers him, and his wings are 
feathered flame. The image of a dove is em- 
broidered on his breast, and his halo is full of 
rays, long and short, like the rays of a mon- 
strance. He carries Mary's lilies in his hand. 
The Angel of the Nativity and the Angel of 
the Resurrection stand, one above the other, on 
the outside stairway against the wall of 
Joseph's house. The livery of the Incarnation 
clothes the Angel of the Nativity: Earth's 
green and heaven's blue. He holds seven stars 
in his hand, and the Star of Bethlehem is 
blazoned on his breast. His halo is three golden 
rings, one within another, like the rings of 
Saturn. His wings are streaked and burnished 
with the blues of the sky, the blues of night 
and day and twilight, the blue of the zenith and 
the horizon's blue. Beneath his leafy green 
sure oat his robe is dim and dark like the trunks 
of trees at dusk. The Angel of the Resurrection 
wears the livery of the Lamb of God. He is 
clothed with a white robe and he bears a palm 
branch in his hands. His great wings shine 
with a rainbow shimmer, and they are full of 
5 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

eyes, like the feathers of a peacock. On his 
breast, set in the midst of golden rays, is the 
image of a zvhite lamb. Within the circle of 
his halo shines the sign of the Cross. The 
Child Jesus sits by the well busily polishing a 
little wooden box, fitting its cover on and 
taking it off, examining the edges and corners. 
His zvhite tunic, falling a little way below his 
knees, is embroidered around the neck and 
sleeves with a pattern of blue and purple and 
scarlet, and these are the mingled colors of his 
girdle. His feet are sandaled. While he is 
busy about his little box, the Angels chant the 
opening words of the Gospel according to St. 
John. Throughout the Miracle, when the 
Angels speak, they chant or sing their words. 
Theirs is the tongue of Holy Writ. 

The Angels : In the beginning was the word, 
and the Word was with God, and the 
Word was God. 
The same was in the beginning with God. 
All things were made by him ; and without 
him was not anything made that was 
made. 

6 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

In him was life; and the life was the light 

of men. 
And the light shineth in darkness; and the 

darkness comprehended it not. 
That was the true Light, which lighteth 

every man that cometh into the world. 
He was in the world, and the world was 

made by him and the world knew him 

not. 
He came unto his own, and his own received 

him not. 
But as many as received him, to them gave 

he power to become the sons of God, even 

to them that believe on his name : 
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the 

will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, 

but of God. 
'And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt 

among us, (and we beheld his glory, the 

glory as of the only . begotten of the 

Father,) full of grace and truth. 

[Mary appears in the doorway of Joseph's 
house. She has on her blue clothes, and 
the blue veil over her parted hair.] 

7 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Mary: Who is singing? 

The Angel of Annunciation: Hail, thou 
that art highly favored, the Lord is with 
thee: blessed art thou among women. 

Mary : Gabriel ! I thought it was your voice. 
And this one with the stars is another old 
friend. 

Angel of Nativity: Glory to God in the 
highest, and on earth peace, good will 
toward men. 

Mary: Yes, the night my Son was born, you 
were there. But your brother with the 
palm branch — 

Jesus : [looking up from his work] : He is 
another birthday messenger. 

Mary : I do not remember him. 

Angel of Resurrection : Behold I show you 
a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we 
shall all be changed. 
Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for 
thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the 
earth shall cast out the dead. 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Mary: A mystery? — What does he say? 

Jesus [coming from the well to his Mother] : 
He says I shall have another birthday. 

Mary: Oh, my little Son, many, many more! 
[She puts her arms around him.] 

Jesus: I shall have a birthday at the Feast of 
the Passover. 

Mary [explaining] : No, no; now is the time 
of the Feast of Dedication — when they 
built the new temple, don't you know ? 

Jesus [gently] : But I shall have a birthday at 
the Feast of the Passover. 

Mary [regarding her Son for a moment with 
mild perplexity, then turning to the Angel 
of the Annunciation] : He has so many 
strange little ways. But I keep all these 
things in my heart. 

Angel of Annunciation : He shall be great, 

and shall be called the Son of the Highest: 

and the Lord God shall give unto him the 

throne of his father David: 

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob 

9 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

forever; and of his kingdom there shall 
be no end. 

Mary : That, too, I keep in my heart. [She 
looks within the house. ,] Joseph, we shall 
be late for the wedding. — He is getting a 
little deaf. — Joseph, dear ! [She comes 
down the doorsteps with her arm around 
her Son.] 

Joseph [appearing at the door in his brown 
loose cloak and flowing zvhite head-cover- 
ing bound about with a crimson turban] : 
I am ready, Mary. [He comes out into the 
square, sees the little box lying on the seat 
by the well, and picks it up to examine it. ] 

Mary [touching his arm] : Will you not bid 
the visitors welcome ? 

Joseph: Visitors? [He looks about him.] 

Mary : The angels who have come to greet my 
Son on his birthday. 

Joseph: Angels, do you say? Well, well! I 
have not seen an angel since Herod slew 
the innocents. Where? 

IO 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Mary: Yonder, by our house. 

Joseph [peering] : You and the child have 
better eyes. I shall have to take your 
word for it. If it were necessary, no 
doubt I should see them. [He holds out 
his hand to Jesus, and draws the child to 
him.] What is this you make? [Show- 
ing him the box.] 

Jesus: A gift for the bride. 

Mary: Poor little dumb bride! He's so sorry 
for her. 

Joseph [still examining the box] : I never 
taught you to join the corners so. 

Jesus: No. 

Joseph: It is a good way. 

Jesus: It is the way the corners were joined in 
the ark of the covenant, to make the cover 
fit tight. 

Joseph : The ark of the covenant ! 

Jesus: That the children of Israel made for 

Moses, to hold the tables of the law. 

ii 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Joseph [with kindly irony] : And I suppose 
you will be telling me next, that Moses 
showed you how. 

Jesus [twinkling and smiling at Joseph's little 
joke] : Oh, no ; I knew how before. 

Joseph [amused, but reproving him gently] : 
Now, now! that's no way to speak of 
Moses. 

Mary : He doesn't mean to be irreverent. 

Joseph [with indulgent skepticism] : I don't 
know what he means, but he will be a 
good carpenter. Look at that box! 

Mary: A carpenter! [Hastily], Well, per- 
haps. Come, Joseph; come, dear. I 
should not mind being a little late if this 
were an ordinary wedding; but with the 
bride struck dumb two days ago, and her 
mother nearly out of her mind with grief, 
— come ! 

[Mary and Joseph go off together by the 
lane opening between Joseph's house 
and Abner's house. Jesus sits down 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

again by the well and polishes his box. 
The Angel of the Nativity and the 
Angel of the Resurrection come down 
to the door of Joseph's house, and the 
three Angels stand side by side on the 
doorstep and chant together certain 
passages from the Book of the Prophet 
Isaiah. The Child fits the box and its 
cover neatly together and sets the box 
on the broad well-curb. He rests with 
his arm on the well-curb and his head 
on his hand 3 listening to the Angels. ] 
The Angels: For my thoughts are not your 
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, 
saith the Lord. 
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 
so are my ways higher than your ways, 
and my thoughts than your thoughts. 
I am he ; I am the first, I also am the last. 
Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of 
the earth, and my right hand hath spanned 
the heavens: when I call unto them, they 
stand up together. 
Come ye near unto me, hear ye this ; I have 
not spoken in secret from the beginning; 
13 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

from the time that it was, there am I: 
and now the Lord God and his Spirit hath 
sent me. 
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and 
to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the be- 
ginning, is now, and ever shall be, world 
without end — Amen. 

[Children are heard shouting and laugh- 
ing. Young John the Baptist enters 
by the lane at the left, between the 
Bridegroom's house and Joseph's. He 
is running and is pursued by Hezekiah, 
Tobias, Miriam, and Leah. John's tunic 
is rough undyed homespun; his girdle 
and sandals are of leather; a lambskin 
hangs over one shoulder and down his 
back. In his hand he carries a slender 
staff with a crosspiece near the top, and 
a little basket hangs on the crosspiece. 
The other children wear garments of 
red, green, orange, brown, blue, or such 
colors as may be convenient.'] 

Hezekiah [twitching John's lambskin]: Wild 
boy! Wild boy! Look at the wild boy! 
14 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Leah : A Nazarite ! See his long hair ! [She 
gives John's hair a tweak,] 

Tobias [to Jesus, who has risen and is stand- 
ing by the well] : He says he lives with 
an old holy man, in the desert. 

Miriam [to Jesus] : He says he's your cousin. 

Jesus: Yes ; my cousin John. 

[The two boys regard each other gravely, 
with shy awkwardness. The other chil- 
dren watch them curiously. Abner and 
Ruth and little Eli have come running 
out of their house, at the noise. They 
stand on their doorstep.] 

Ruth [crying out suddenly]: Oh, angels! 

Abner [rudely] : Call that an angel ! That's a 
wild boy from the desert. [He moves 
over to the well, to join the other chil- 
dren.] 

Ruth : No ; I mean over there. 

John [to Jesus] : Yesterday, my mother came 
to see me in the wilderness where I live 

15 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

with the old man, and she said this was 
your birthday; so I came — I came — [he 
falters shyly] — to tell you I am glad you 
were born. > 

Jesus [shyly, lovingly, taking John's hand] : 
Oh, John ! — Oh, thank you, John ! 

John [holding out the staff with the little 
basket swinging from it] : I brought you 
a piece of wild honeycomb, — saved from 
my breakfast. 

Tobias [snatching at the basket] : Honey ! 
Wild honey! 

John [lifting the staff, with the basket hanging 
from the crosspiece, high above his head] : 
Leave it be. It's not for you. 

[Tobias, Hezekiah, T Abner and Leah 
struggle for the honey. Miriam stands 
a little apart, zvatching them. While 
Tobias clasps John round the middle, 
trying to throw him, the others leap and 
stretch for the basket.] 

Jesus : Don't let's fight. We'll all have a taste. 
16 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

John [struggling] : No ; I brought it for you. 

Abner [to Tobias]: Trip him, — can't you? 
Here! Let me get a grip. 
[The Angel of the Nativity has come 
down from Joseph's doorway. He lifts 
his arm over the heads of the wrestling 
children, and takes the basket off the 
crosspiece of the staff. ] 

Miriam: Look out! You've shaken off the 
basket. Don't step on it. 

Leah [looking among the boy's feet] : Where ! 
Where! * 

[The Angel of the Nativity goes back to 
Joseph's doorstep, the little basket hang- 
ing from his finger.] 

Miriam : It dropped. I saw it. 
Abner: Hezekiah, you've got it. 
Hezekiah: I have not. 

Ruth [speaking from her doorway, where she 
stands holding little Eli's hand] : It didn't 
drop. The angel took it off the staff. The 
angel with the seven stars. 
17 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Other Children except John [fright- 
ened]: Angels! [They stand still, look- 
ing over their shoulders, fearfully.] 

Ruth : Over there by Joseph's house. Three 
of them. Eli sees them; don't you* baby? 

Eli: Eli sees angels. One, two, seven, forty- 
leven. 

Tobias [to John] : Do you see them? 

John: Why, yes. They've been there all 
along. 

Miriam : I see — something. Yes, — I see one 
— very faint. 

Ruth: The starry one? 

Miriam : I see a lily. I see a dove. 

Abner: They don't see a thing. They're doing 
it to scare us. 

Hezekiah [frightened] : I see peacock's 
feathers. 

18 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Leah : What else ? 

Hezekiah : Just peacock's feathers — Oh ! [He 
covers his eyes.] 

Ruth : I know ! TheyVe come to the wedding. 
They're here to welcome the bride. 

Miriam : Then they've made a mistake in the 
house. That's not the bride's house. You 
tell them, Ruth. You see them better than 
Ida 

Jesus: They came because it's my birthday. 
They didn't make a mistake. 

Abner: Angels! — For your birthday! [He 
laughs mockingly.] Who are you? You're 
nobody. 

[Jesus looks at him silently.] 

Ruth [coming from her house to join the 
other children]: Shame on you, Abner! 
Hush! 

Abner : Nobody ! — Nobody ! — I bet he picked 
up the basket and hid it. 
19 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

John: Well, if he did, it's his. I brought it 
to him. 

Abner [approaching Jesus] : Where's the 
honey, Nobody? 

Jesus [standing quite still] : I am— Somebody. 

John [to Abner] : You leave my cousin alone. 
[The three Angels come down Joseph's 
two doorsteps swiftly, their garments 
flying,] 

Ruth: Abner, Abner, the angels are angry! 
[Abner, startled by Ruth, backs away 
from Jesus involuntarily.] 

Jesus: They won't hurt you. 

Abner [recovering himself] : There ain't any 

angels. I don't see 'em. 

[The three Angels slowly move backward 
and stand once more on Joseph's thresh- 
old. Abner has backed toward his own 
house, a little way. ] 

Abner: Think you can frighten me with 
angels, — you — Nobody ! — Born in a 
stable ! 

20 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Tobias and Hezekiah [taunting] : Born in a 
stable ! 

Ruth and Miriam [reproving] : No, boys ; 
don't. 

Leah : Well, it's true. 

Abner: Nobody! Nobody! You don't even 
know who's your father. 

Jesus [quickly] : Oh, yes, I do. 

Abner: Who? 

Jesus : I'll tell you some day. 

Abner: Who? 

[Jesus looks at him silently. Abner sees 
the little box on the well-curb. He runs 
and snatches it up.] 

Abner: Tell me, or I'll throw this down the 
well. 

Ruth: No, no, Abner! He made it for the 
bride. 

[Jesus looks at him silently.] 
21 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Abner: Going to tell me? — When I count 
three, it goes down the well. — Going to 
tell me ? — One ! 

Hezekiah : Say, Abner, no fair ! 

Tobias: Shut up, Hezekian. Don't you mix 
in. Let them fight it out. 

Abner [scornfully] : Him fight ! 

[Jesus looks silently at Abner, who mounts 
the seat by the well and holds the box 
over the well's mouth.] 

Abner: Going to tell me ? — Two ! 

John [passionately] : You're a bad, bad boy. 
You'd better be sorry for what you're 
doing. If you throw that box down the 
well, Jesus and I will duck you, head 
down; won't we, Jesus? 

Jesus [tranquilly] : But, John, that wouldn't 
make him sorry. 

John [disconcerted, and regarding Jesus with 
some exasperation]: But we're going to 
do something to him, aren't we? 

22 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Jesus [his face lighting up with sudden merri- 
ment'] : Yes ; something. 

Abner: Laugh at me, will you?—- Think I 
won't do it, do you? — Once more! — 
Going to tell me who your father is? 

Jesus: I'll tell you some day. 

Abner: Three! [He drops the box into the 
well. It splashes.] 

[There is a moment of shocked silence* 
The Angels look at one another and 
shake their heads in disapproval.] 

Tobias [with a little squeal] : He did it! 

Ruth: His little box! His pretty little box 
that he made for the bride. — Oh ! 

Hezekiah : It wasn't fair. 

Miriam: No; it was not. 

Leah: Lick him, Jesus! Turn the angels on 
him, why don't you? 

Abner: Angels! Your Grandmother! [To 
lesus:] Why don't you say something? 
23 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

— Think you can scare me? Go home, 

Nobody ! 

[Jesus gases silently at Abner.] 

John: Jesus, Jesus! Let me fight him for 
you. Please ! 

Abner [to Jesus] : Go home! We don't want 
to play with you. Born in a stable! 

Tobias: Born in a 



Hezekiah: Shut up! 

Abner: Go home, I say! — We don't want 

you. [He stoops, picks up a stone, and 

swings his arm up.] Go ho — ah! [He 

shrieks. The stone falls from his hand, 

and with it a little snake.] 

[The children scream and start backward, 

all but John, who runs to the little snake 

and beats it with his staff. Abner, 

between the well and his own house, 

stands stupidly holding out his hand 

and looking at it.] 

John: It's dead. 

24 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Ruth [bending over it]: A viper! [She 
screams.] 

The Other Children: A viper! [They all 
gaze at Abner in horror.] 

Ruth [crying] : He'll die ! My brother will 
die! 

[Leah and little Eli, who clings to Ruth, 
also begin to cry. The other children 
stand silent and horror-stricken.] 

Jesus [going up to Abner] : Don't be fright- 
ened, Abner. Don't be frightened, dear 
Abner. 

[Abner stands rigid, looking at his out- 
stretched hand. Jesus takes the hand 
in his, bends his head down, and gently, 
slowly, kisses the open palm. Then he 
closes the fingers over the palm, bends 
the arm at the elbow, and lays the 
closed hand against Abner 3 s breast.] 

Little Eli [who stopped crying when Jesus 
spoke to Abner] : Jesus kissed the place 
and made it all well. 
25 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

[The children sigh. Abner, still dazed, 
opens his hand and looks at it. Then 
he looks at Jesus gravely. While Abner 
and Jesus are looking into each other's 
eyes, the Angels chant these words 
from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.] 

The Angels: I will mention the loving kind- 
nesses of the Lord, and the praises of the 
Lord, according to all that the Lord hath 
bestowed on us, and the great goodness 
toward the house of Israel, which he hath 
bestowed on them according to his 
mercies, and according to the multitude 
of his loving kindnesses. 
For he said, Surely they are my people, 
children that will not lie : so he was their 
Saviour. 

Abner [suddenly bursting into tears and hid- 
ing his face in his arm] : I can't bear it ! 
I can't bear it! I threw his little box 
down the well. — I called him names. — 
I can't bear it ! [Still with his arm before 
his eyes, he turns and runs blindly azuay 
from the children and stumbles up against 
26 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

the Angel of the Resurrection. He 
clutches the Angel and sobs, burying his 
face in the white robe. The Angel of 
the Resurrection pats him and smooths 
his hair.] 

Miriam : He might have died ! — People do. 

John: I'm glad he's sorry at last. 

Jesus [softly] : He didn't know what he was 
doing. Don't let's talk about it any more. 
Let's eat the honey. 

John : Yes, let's. 

Jesus [looking at little Eli and smiling] : 
Where's the honey, baby? 

Eli: Eli knows. 

Jesus : Will you go find it for Jesus ? 

[Eli runs to the door of Joseph's house, 
and stops before the Angel of the 
Nativity. Eli puts his finger in his 
mouth shyly.] 

Tobias : There are Angels ! — I see them ! 

27 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Leah : So do I ! 

Miriam: Three! — and such beauties! 

[The Angel of the Nativity stoops and 
gives the little basket to Eli.] 

Ruth : Make your bow, baby. 

[Eli takes his finger out of his mouth, 
pulls the curl that hangs over his fore- 
head, and bobs his little head. The 
Angels smile. Eli comes back to Jesus 
and gives him the honey basket. The 
children gather close around Jesus.] 

Hezekiah : There isn't much. Do you think 
it'll go round? 

Jesus: Oh, yes! 

Ruth : Jesus knows how to make things go 
round. I've noticed that whenever he 
goes shares there's always enough for 
everybody. 

Miriam : So have I. Umm ! Good honey ! 

Leah : Don't give me so much, Jesus. 
28 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

John: You needn't count me in. I can have 
it any time. 

Jesus: But there's plenty, John. 

Tobias : Have you got some left for yourself ? 

Jesus: Abner, here's your piece. 

Leah: After he's been so mean! 

Jesus: We can't begin to eat till you come, 
Abner; won't you come? 

[Abner lifts his face from the folds of 
the Angel's robe. The Angel wipes 
•away his tears. Reluctantly, shame- 
facedly, Abner comes back to the chil- 
dren. Jesus gives him, a piece of the 
honeycomb. They look at each other 
shyly. Their hands move to their 
mouths in embarrassed silence. They 
bite the honeycomb simultaneously , and 
simultaneously they smile at each other. 
The other children all laugh. And the 
Angels chant certain verses from the 
Nineteenth Psalm.] 
29 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Angels: The law of the Lord is per- 
fect, converting the soul: the testimony 
of the Lord is sure, making wise the 
simple. 

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoic- 
ing the heart: the commandment of the 
Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for- 
ever: the judgments of the Lord are true 
and righteous altogether. 

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, 
than much fine gold: sweeter also than 
honey and the honeycomb. 

Ruth: Listen! The Angels! Do you hear 
them? 

Angel of Nativity: Glory to God in the 
highest ! 
Glory to God in the highest! 

Angel of Annunciation: And on earth 
peace ! 
Glory to God in the highest ! 

Angel of Resurrection: And on earth 
peace, 

30 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Good will toward men! 
Glory to God in the highest ! 

The Three Angels: Glory to God in the 
highest ! 
And on earth peace, 
Goodwill toward men! 
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Miriam : What song is that ? 

Jesus: My birthday song. The angels sang 
it the night that I was born. 

Leah: But it's not true that you were born in 
a stable. 

Jesus: Oh, yes; it's true. 

i [The children have been standing in a 
little group in front of the well, eating 
their honey. They look at one another, 
abashed.] 

Miriam: Do you remember it? 

Jesus: Yes; quite well. 



Leah: How did it feel to lie in hay, in a 
3i 



manger ? 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Jesus [merrily] : It tickled. 
[The children laugh.] 

Hezekiah: My mother told me there were 
shepherds saw you in that stable. 

Angel of Nativity [coming dozvn Joseph's 
steps, lifting his hand to command atten- 
tion, and singing in a loud voice] : 
Behold, I bring you good tidings! 

Ruth: He's going to tell us something. He 

wants us to be still. 

[Ruth, Miriam, and little Eli sit down on 
the steps of the Bridegroom's house, on 
the bright carpet. Tobias, Hezekiah, 
and Leah scamper up the outside stair- 
case of Joseph's house and sit about 
halfway up, Hezekiah and Tobias side 
by side on one stair, and Leah two stairs 
above them. John the Baptist is kneel- 
ing on the well-seat with his elboius 
on the well-curb and his chin in his 
hands, looking across the well at the 
angels. Abner leans against the wall 
of his house and Jesus goes and leans 
32 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

beside him, against the house. Pres- 
ently Abner links arms with Jesus.] 

Angel of Nativity [chanting certain por- 
tions of the Gospel according to St. 
Luke] : It came to pass in those days, 
that there went out a decree from Csesar 
Augustus, that all the world should be 
taxed. 

And all went to be taxed, everyone into his 
own city. 

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out 
of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto 
the city of David, which is called Beth- 
lehem; (because he was of the house and 
lineage of David:) 

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, 
being great with child. 

And so it was, that, while they were there, 
the days were accomplished that she 
should be delivered. 

And she brought forth her first-born son, 
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, 
and laid him in a manger; because there 
was no room for them in the inn. 
33 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

And there were in the same country shep- 
herds abiding in the field, keeping watch 
over their flocks by night. 

Angel of Annunciation [moving down one 
step and taking up the tale] : And, lo, the 
angel of the Lord came upon them, and 
the glory of the Lord shone round about 
them: and they were sore afraid. 
And the angel said unto them: 

Angel of Nativity [in his clear triumphant 

voice]: Fear not: for, behold, I bring 

you good tidings of great joy, which shall 

be to all people. 
For unto you is born this day in the city 

of David a Saviour, which is Christ the 

Lord. 
And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall 

find the babe wrapped in swaddling 

clothes, lying in a manger. 

Angel of Annunciation: And suddenly, 
there was with the angel a multitude of 
the heavenly host praising God, and say- 
ing,— 

34 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

The Three Angels: Glory to God in the 
highest, and on earth peace, good will 
toward men. 

Angel of Annunciation: And it came to 
pass, as the angels were gone away from 
them into heaven, the shepherds said one 
to another, — 

The Three Angels: Let us now go even 
unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which 
is come to pass, which the Lord hath 
made known unto us. 

Angel of Annunciation: And they came 
with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, 
and the babe lying in a manger. 

And when they had seen it, they made 
known abroad the saying which was told 
them concerning this child. 

And all they that heard it wondered at those 
things which were told them by the shep- 
herds. 

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered 
them in her heart. 

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and 
35 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

praising God for all the things that they 
had heard and seen, as it was told unto 
them. 

Miriam : Oh, what a darling story ! Isn't 
there more? 

Hezekiah and Leah: More! More! 

Tobias: What about those kings? My father 
said there was a story about kings, but 
he didn't believe it. Neither did I. Was 
it true? 

John the Baptist: True! Of course it was 
true ! There were three of them. 

Hezekiah [to the Angels] : Oh, do tell us 
about the kings. 

Angel of Annunciation [chanting certain 
portions of the Gospel according to St. 
Matthew] : Now when Jesus was born in 
Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod 
the king, behold, there came wise men 
from the east to Jerusalem, saying, — 

Angel of Nativity: Where is he that is born 
King of the Jews? for we have seen his 
36 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

star in the east and are come to worship 
him. 

Angel of Annunciation : When Herod the 
king had heard these things, he was 
troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 
And when he had gathered all the chief 
priests and scribes of the people together, 
he demanded of them where Christ 
should be born. And they said unto 
him, — 

Angel of Resurrection [moving down to 
stand beside the Angel of the Annuncia- 
tion]: In Bethlehem of Judsea: for thus 
it is written by the prophet, 
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, 
art not the least among the princes of 
Judah: for out of thee shall come a Gov- 
ernor, that shall rule my people Israel. 

Angel of Annunciation: Then Herod, 

when he had privily called the wise men, 

enquired of them diligently what time the 

star appeared. 

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, — 

37 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Angel of Nativity : Go and search diligently 
for the young child; and when ye have 
found him, bring me word again, that I 
may come and worship him also. 

Angel of Annunciation: When they had 
heard the king, they departed ; and, lo, the 
star, which they saw in the east, went 
before them, till it came and stood over 
where the young child was. 

Angel of Nativity: When they saw the star, 
they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 

The Three Angels: And when they were 
come into the house, they saw the young 
child with Mary his mother, and fell down 
and worshiped him: and when they had 
opened their treasures, they presented 
unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, 
and myrrh. 

Hezekiah [jumping up, and running dozvn 
the stairway] : Jesus is our king ! Jesus 
is our king ! 

38 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Ruth and Miriam [running to Jesus and tak- 
ing his hands] : Come, Jesus ! Come and 
be king! 

Tobias and Leah [hurrying to join the other 
children] : Come sit by the well, Jesus ! 
Play it's your throne! 

[The Angels and John the Baptist go to 
the door of the Bridegroom's house, 
and take up the carpet by the four cor- 
ners, and spread the carpet over the 
seat by the well. The children pull and 
push Jesus to the well and make him sit 
down. The Angel of the Resurrection 
goes to the well, behind Jesus, on the 
other side of the well-mouth, and 
mounts to the well-curb. Standing up- 
right on top of the broad well-curb, 
with his great wings spread wide, he is 
the back of the throne. The Angel of 
the Annunciation stands on the curving 
well-seat at the left of Jesus, and the 
Angel of the Nativity stands on his 
right. So these two, standing upright, 
but a little below the Angel of the 
39 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Resurrection, and with their wings 
spread wide, are the arms of the throne. 
And the three take hands. Between 
and beneath them, as under a canopy 
of cherubim and glory, sits the child 
Jesus, smiling at his playmates. The 
children stand before Jesus, at the right 
and the left of the throne. Abner, John 
the Baptist, Ruth, and little Eli are on 
the left hand. Leah, Miriam, Tobias, 
and Hezekiah are on the right. .] 

John: We ought to have a crown. 

Ruth : We can make believe he has many- 
crowns on his head. 

Miriam: We can make believe a scepter. 

Tobias: Jesus, when we're grown up we'll 
give you a crown, and a scepter in your 
hand, and we'll put a purple robe on you. 

[The three Angels bend their heads and 
hide their faces in their hands. Jesus 
gazes straight ahead, gravely, as if he 
saw something sad a long way off.] 
40 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Hezekiah [shouting, and lifting up his 
arms']: Hail, King of the Jews! 

Ruth [lifting up her arms] : Hail, Every- 
body's King! 

The Children [standing with uplifted 
arms] : Hail ! — Hail ! — Hail ! 

[When the children cry Hail! the Angels 
lift up on high the palm branch, the 
lilies, and the seven stars. Little Eli 
runs to Jesus, scrambles up on the seat 
beside him, puts his arms around 
Jesus's neck and kisses him. And 
Jesus hugs little Eli. In the distance 
trumpets are heard.] 

Abner [crying out in anguish] : The wed- 
ding ! Oh, can't we get the little box out 
of the well? Can't we? 

Jesus : Don't cry, Abner. I'll give the Bride 
something else. 

[Jesus gets up from his throne; all the 

other children, except Abner, have run 

to look down the lane between Joseph's 

house and Abner' s. The Angels de- 

41 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

scend from the well and carry the 
Bride's carpet back to the Bridegroom's 
house. They spread the carpet tidily 
before the door and over the steps. The 
trumpets are heard again, nearer. Jesus 
and Abner are left by the well. Abner 
kneels on the well-seat, looking over the 
curb, down the well.]' 

Abner: I want her to have the little box. I 
shall always want her to have the little 
box. 

Jesus [putting his arm over Abner 's shoulder] : 
I'm sorry, Abner. 

Abner [turning and flinging his arms around 
Jesus] : Oh, Jesus, why did I do it ? Why 
did I? 

Jesus: Abner, I love you; and you love me. 
We're friends. 

Abner [lifting his head and smiling]: Yes; 
we're friends. 

[The trumpets sound close by. The Angels 
have gone up the outside stairway of 
42 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Joseph's house and stand one above 
another , on the stairs; the Angel of the 
Resurrection at the top, and the Angel 
of the Nativity and the Angel of the 
Annunciation in order below him.] 

Leah : Hurry, Jesus ! Abner, here they come ! 

Miriam : See the Bride ! How sad she looks ! 
Only three days ago she could speak, like 
us. And now she's dumb. 

Tobias: And the Bridegroom is sad, look! 
He didn't have to marry her when she lost 
her tongue. But he stuck to his bargain. 
My father says he's a good fellow. 

Hezekiah: It's too bad Jesus can't give her 
the little box. I hope my bride won't go 
dumb when I get married. 

Ruth: Hush — ssh! They'll hear you ! 

[The Bride and Bridegroom, their parents, 
Mary, Joseph, and other wedding 
guests, some with trumpets and cymbals, 
come into the little square by the lane 
between Joseph's house and the house 
43 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

of Abner. They wear the wedding gar- 
ments of the East. The faces of the 
Bride and Bridegroom are sad. As he 
leads her past Joseph's house she looks 
up and sees the Angels on the stairs. 
She stands still, pulls the Bridegroom's 
sleeve, points up at the Angels. The 
wedding procession halts behind her.] 

Bridegroom [trying to lead her on] : Not this 
house, the next is ours. 

[The Bride falls on her knees and lifts up 
her hands to the Angels. They lift their 
hands and point to Jesus.] 

Bride's Mother : My daughter, my daughter ! 
What new affliction is this? Come home 
to your husband's house. 

Ruth: She sees the Angels. 

The People [looking up and gaping] : Angels ! 
Where? Where? 

Bridegroom's Father: Nonsense! Come, my 

son, we must get her into the house. 

44 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

[The Bridegroom and his Father lift up 
the Bride and support her between them 
to the threshold of the Bridegroom's 
house. She looks at them beseechingly 
and moves her lips but without a sound. 
Jesus has joined his Mother, and they 
have come from the rear of the proces- 
sion, circling the front of the well, osnd 
are standing at the Bridegroom's 
threshold when the Bride is brought 
there. ] 

Bridegroom: Speak to her, Mary. She is 
frightened. Welcome her; comfort her. 
You know how to comfort. 

Mary: Do not tremble so, little dove. Wel- 
come to Nazareth ! Welcome, dear neigh- 
bor ! See, this is my little Son. He has 
a gift for you. 

[The Bride looks at Jesus and her face 
becomes quiet. After a moment she puts 
out her hands and draws him to her. 
He lifts his face, standing on tiptoe, and 
she bends hers. They kiss. The Bride 
looks up from the kiss, startled. Joy 
45 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

and amazement light her face. She 
opens her mouth and bursts into sing- 
ing. Jesus stands, gazing up at her, and 
smiling happily. The people are trans- 
fixed in amazement.'] 

The Bride [singing portions of the One Hun- 
dred and Third Psalm] : Bless the Lord, 
O my soul : and all that is within me, bless 
his holy name. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not 
all his benefits : 

Who f orgiveth all thine iniquities ; who heal- 
eth all thy diseases; 

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; 
who crowneth thee with loving kindness 
and tender mercies; 

Who satisfteth thy mouth with good things ; 
so that thy youth is renewed like the 
eagle's. 

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the 
Lord pitieth them that fear him. 

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the 
heavens ; and his kingdom ruleth over all. 

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in 
46 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

strength, that do his commandments, 
hearkening unto his word. 

Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts ; ye min- 
isters of his, that do his pleasure. 

Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of 
his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. 

The People [crying out in astonishment] : A 
miracle ! A miracle ! 

The Angel of the Resurrection [standing 
at the top of the stairway, he chants from 
the Book of the Prophet Isaiah'] : Thus 
saith the high and lofty One that inhabit- 
eth eternity, whose name is Holy ; I dwell 
in the high and holy place, with him also 
that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to 
revive the spirit of the humble, and to re- 
vive the heart of the contrite ones. 

I have seen his ways, and I will heal him: I 
will lead him also, and restore comforts 
unto him and to his mourners. 

I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to 
him that is far off, and to him that is near, 
saith the Lord ; and I will heal him. 
47 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Children [suddenly bursting out into 
the Birthday Song] : Glory to God in the 
highest, and on earth peace, good will 
toward men. 

The Angels [singing with the children] : 
Glory to God in the highest ! 
Glory to God in the highest ! 
And on earth peace! 

The People [singing with the Children and 
the Angels] : 
And on earth peace ! 
And on earth peace ! 
Good will toward men! 
Good will ! Good will ! 
Glory to God in the highest, 
And on earth peace, 
Good will toward men! 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 



II 
Thy Kingdom Come 

A Dream for Easter Even 



Who shall despair, though round us be 

confusion ; 
Though not for us the perfect order 

dawn? 
The Day-Star is seen, the darkness is 
departing ! 
O come, Son of Mary, 
Jesu, our Redeemer, 
O come, King triumphant, and reign on 
earth! 

Selwyn Image, 



The Place 

The Tomb of the Saviour in a Garden 

The Time 

The First Easter Even; the Soldier's Vigil 

The People 

The Three Soldiers who guard the Tomb: 
The Soldier who plaited the Crown of 

Thorns 
The Soldier who pierced the Side of Jesus 
The Soldier who won the Seamless Coat 

The Galilean Children : 

The little Daughter of Jairus 

The Boy who was an Epileptic 

The Lad who once had five Barley Loaves 

and two Fishes 
A Child whom Jesus blessed 

THE ANGELS: 

The Angels who roll the Stone away 

5i 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

THE DREAMS : 
The Child with the Crown of Thorns 
The Child with the Lance 
The Child with the Seamless Coat 
The Child with the Cross 

It is chilly dusk and the soldiers have kindled 
a fire in a brazier before the tomb, and stuck a 
tall torch upright in the earth between the tomb 
and a long stone bench. The spring flozvers of 
the garden twinkle and flush within the torch- 
light's wavering circle, and a flowering almond 
tree glows softly above the stone bench. One 
of the soldiers has stretched himself along the 
bench beneath the rosy tree, with feet crossed 
and arms clasped under his head. His helmet 
is on the ground within reach of his hand. 
Another soldier crouches beside the brazier, 
feeding the fire and shivering. The third paces 
uneasily to and fro before the sepulchre, from 
the young cedar at one side of the tomb to the 
torch at the other, from shadow into light, and 
back again. The three soldiers zvear the Roman 
insignia. The reclining soldier is the one who 
pierced the side of Jesus. The chilly soldier is 
52 



THY KINGDOM COME 

the one who won the Seamless Coat. The rest- 
less soldier is the one who plaited the Crown 
of Thorns. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [pausing before 
the tomb and looking up at it darkly] : So 
here's the end of Him and His Kingdom ? 
[He strikes the rock savagely with his 

bare hand, winces, and sucks the injured 

hand. ] 

The Soldier of the Lance [glancing side- 
wise out of the corner of his eye] : Hurt 
yourself? 

The Soldier of the Thorns: A thorn. 

The Soldier of the Lance: Funny place to 
pick up a thorn. 

The Soldier of the Thorns: I run it in 
yesterday, when I was playm' smarty. 

The Soldier of the Lance [indifferently] : 
Playin' smarty? 

The Soldier of the Thorns [sulkily] : 
Plaitin' a crown o' thorns. 

53 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Soldier of the Seamless Coat [looking 
round over his shoulder, but still zvarming 
his hands at the fire] : You was that joker, 
was you? 

The Soldier of the Thorns [ignoring the 
question and examining his hand by the 
light of the fire] : If I'd known the things 
could hurt so much 

[There is a thoughtful silence.] 

The Soldier of the Coat [turning back to 
the fire] : Better have it looked at. Some- 
times them things swell. 

The Soldier of the Lance [still indifferent] : 
Maybe He put a curse on your hand. I 
would. 

The Soldier of the Thorns : You — yes ! — 
Not Him.— He never cursed a curse all 
day, from the time we took Him. 

The Soldier of the Coat [staring into the 
fire and shivering] : Father, forgive 

them 

54 



THY KINGDOM COME 

The Soldier of the Thorns [violently] : 
Aw cut it out! [He begins to pace 
up and down again.] 

The Soldier of the Lance [yawning and 
stretching on the bench] : Who takes first 
watch? Don't everybody speak at once! 

The Soldier of the Coat: I'd just as lief. 
I'm too cold to sleep, and anyway — I'd 
like to be awake if He — if He should 

[He glances again over his shoulder, fear- 
fully, at the tomb.] 

The Soldier of the Lance [grimly] : Did 
you ever stick a spear into a dead man ? 

The Soldier of the Coat [defiantly] : What's 
that got to do with it? 

The Soldier of the Lance : You'd know He 
was dead — that's all. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [pausing beside 
the bench] : Let's have a look at the spear. 

The Soldier of the Lance: Left it home. 

55 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Soldier of the Thorns: We was told 
to come armed. 

The Soldier of the Lance: Well, what's a 
sword ? [He draws his short szvord half 
out of its scabbard and thrusts it back 
again.'] Fve done all I want to with 
spears — for one while. 

The Soldier of the Coat [speaking hesi- 
tantly across the brazier] : You don't 
think — even if He was dead — He'd ? 

The Soldier of the Lance: Well, do you? 
[There is another silence, doubtful, incon- 
clusive.] 

The Soldier of the Thorns [again resuming 
his restless march] : That old blighter, 
Caiaphas, ain't afraid of the dead. It's 
the livin' he's out after. 

The Soldier of the Coat: Them fishermen? 

The Soldier of the Lance: The trouble 
with the High Priest is, he thinks every- 
body else is as foxy as he is. But I'm not 
going to lose my sleep waiting for Simon 
56 



THY KINGDOM COME 

and the sons of Zebedee to hatch a plot 
to rob a tomb. I'd develop insomnia per- 
manent, if I did. [He closes his eyes.] 

The Soldier of the Thorns: There's Joseph 
of Arimathea? — Or Nicodemus — what? 

The Soldier of the Lance [still with his 
eyes closed] : Too respectable. Besides^ 
they want to be convinced, themselves. 
And you don't convince yourself a man's 
risen from the dead by swiping his corpse ; 
now, do you? 

[He opens his eyes and looks up at the 
Soldier of the Thorns, who has paused 
by the bench. They stare at each other 
silently a moment, and the Soldier of 
the Thorns takes up his march again.] 

The Soldier of the Coat [shuddering] : I'll 
be glad when the night's safe over. 

The Soldier of the Lance [indifferently] : 
Same here. Say, if you're cold, sittin' in 
the fire, what do you think I am, layin' out 
on this frosty bench? Where's your 
prophet's mantle you won so slick yester- 
57 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

day afternoon? If you're not go in' to use 
it, you might tuck it round me and kiss me 
good-night. 

[The Soldier of the Thorns laughs.] 

The Soldier of the Coat: Our baby was 
asleep in it when I left home. He's been 
sick for two days, and I ain't had a wink 
o' sleep. My wife thinks he — he — knew 
the coat. He snuggled right down and 
dropped off, quiet as you please. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [moodily'] : He 
blessed my kids, too. Great one for kids, 
He was. 

The Soldier of the Lance [musing with his 
eyes shut] : Kids are all right in their 
place. I'm as fond of a good kid as any- 
body. But a whole Kingdom come, of 
nothin' but kids 

The Soldier of the Thorns [with a laugh] : 
Well, you don't need to worry. It's all 
off. 

58 



THY KINGDOM COME 

The Soldier of the Coat [tentatively] : You 
think there won't nothin' come of it? 

The Soldier of the Lance [contemptu- 
ously] : He's dead, ain't he ? 

The Soldier of the Coat [hesitating] : But 
we're not. 

The Soldier of the Lance [truculent]: 
What do you mean? — We're not? 

The Soldier of the Coat [troubled] : Well, 
we're not; are we? 

The Soldier of the Lance [turning his head 
sidezvise on the bench and regarding the 
Soldier of the Seamless Coat quizzically] : 
Feel sorter responsible, now his mantle's 
descended on you, do you ? [He turns his 
face once more to the sky and shuts his 
eyes, ] You poor fish ! 

The Soldier of the Coat [pondering] : 
They say He said the Kingdom's inside of 
us. 

59 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Soldier of the Thorns: Rome, for 
mine! There's something you can take 
hold on. 

The Soldier of the Coat [puzdcd] : But 
He never talked against Rome. 

The Soldier of the Lance [intoning, his 
eyes closed}: No man can serve two 
masters. 

The Soldier of the Coat [piteously] : But I 
can't find no Kingdom inside of me to 
serve. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [pausing beside 
the brazier and looking down good- 
naturedly at his comrade] : Nothin' but 
guts, heh? Well, guts ain't so worse. 

The Soldier of the Coat: You think He's 
not goin' to rise from the dead ? 

The Soldier of the Thorns [noncommit- 
tal] : 'Tain't mornin' yet. What do you 
say, Longinus? 

The Soldier of the Lance [after a pause, 
always with eyes shut and face turned up 
60 



THY KINGDOM COME 

to the sky] : I say — there won't be any 
Kingdom come unless He does rise from 
the dead. 

[The Soldier of the Thorns returns to his 
beat, back and forth before the tomb.] 

The Voice of a Child [heard from a dis- 
tance] : Not that way! This way! 

The Voice of Another Child [also heard 
from a distance] : Yes, yes ! This way ! 
I see a light ! 

A Third Child's Voice: Wait for me! Wait 
for me ! Don't run so fast ! 

A Fourth Child's Voice: Take my hand! 
Upsy-daisy ! Did you hurt yourself ? 

The Third Child's Voice: Just my toe — 
stubbed. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [peering 
through the dusk beyond the cedar tree, 
and laughing] : Here's your robber band! 
[The Galilean Children come into the fire- 
light from round the cedar tree. They 
carry palms and spring flowers in their 
61 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

arms. The little Daughter of J aims 
and a little Girl whom Jesus blessed are 
hand-in-hand. The four children stand 
abashed and shy when they see the 
Soldiers.] 

The Soldier of the Lance [Sitting up on 
the bench and putting his feet to the 
ground] : Hullo ! Kinder late for little 
folks, isn't it ? 

The Lad of the Loaves [with dignity] : I'm 
older than I look. 
[The Soldiers laugh goodnaturedly .] 

The Boy who was Epileptic: Father said 1 
might. Since the Master cured me, I don't 
have to wait for grown people to take me 
places. Our inn isn't far. 

The Soldier of the Coat [eagerly] : Cured 
you, did He? What of? 

The Epileptic Boy [awkwardly] : I used to 
fall down, just anywhere. Once I fell in 
the fire ; and — and — I was 'most drownded 

once — and — and — I don't know 

62 



THY KINGDOM COME 

The Soldier of the Thorns [nodding sagely 
to his comrades] : Fits. 

[They all nod, and stare stolidly at the 
boy.] 

The Soldier of the Lance [holding out his 
hand to J aims' s Daughter] : Come over 
here and sit by me, Missy, and tell me 
where you live when you're at home. You 
know [solemnly], us soldiers have to 
guard this tomb, and we can't let sus- 
picious-looking characters come around. 

Jairus's Daughter [going over to the bench 
and laying her hand in the soldier's] : I'm 
not a suspicious-looking character. My 
father is one of the rulers of the Syna- 
gogue in Capernaum. 

The Soldier of the Lance [holding out his 
other hand to the little girl who has fol- 
lowed Jairus's Daughter] : Galileans? 

[Jairus's Daughter sits beside him on the 
bench. The younger child allows him 
to lift her on his knee.] 
63 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Lad of the Loaves: We came up for the 
Passover; my family, and his, and hers, 
and hers. We're staying at the inn. 
Everybody said this Passover would be 
different from all the other Passovers. 
They said the Master would come into his 
Kingdom. 

The Soldier of the Lance [quietly stroking 
the child's hair] : And what do they say 
now? 

The Lad of the Loaves [passionately] : I 

don't care what they say. 

[He goes to the tomb and lays his palm 
and his flowers before the rock-bound 
door. Then, standing upright with face 
uplifted toward the tomb, and arms 
stretched upward, he says gently.] 
Master, remember me when you come into 

your Kingdom. 

[He steps back to the fire.] 

The Epileptic Boy [laying his palm and his 
flowers before the tomb, and standing 
with uplifted face and hands]: Master, 
64 



THY KINGDOM COME 

remember me when you come into your 
Kingdom. 

[He moves to one side and stands beside 
the torch.] 

Jairus's Daughter [slipping off the bench, 
crossing to the tomb, laying her palm and 
her flowers beside the offerings of the 
other two, and standing with uplifted face 
and hands'] : Master, remember me when 
you come into your Kingdom. 
[She returns to the bench.] 

The Child [who has been watching her play- 
fellows, speaking now to the Soldier of 
the Lance, on whose knee she sits]: I 
want to put mine up there, on top. Will 
you lift me up? 

The Soldier of the Lance: Sure I will! 
[He carries the child to the tomb, sets her 
on his shoulder, and stands still while 
she puts her palm and her flowers on 
top of the tomb.] 

The Child [sitting on the Soldier's shoulder 
and lifting up her face and her hands] : 

65 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Master, remember me when you come into 
your Kingdom. 

[The Soldier of the Lance carries the 
child back to the bench and sits down, 
taking her again on his knee. ] 

The Soldier of the Thorns [gruffly} : But 
He's dead, you know, so how 

The Soldier ok tmk Lance [interrupting 
angrily]: Shut your mouth, you! 

The Soldier of the Thorns [turning sul- 
len] Shut your mouth yourself! Wasn't 
it you said He was dead, in the first place? 

Jairus's Daughter [quietly] : The Master 
raised me from the dead. 

[There is a startled silence. The three 
soldiers stare, speechless, at Jairus's 
Daughter. The Soldier of the Lance 
edges away from her slowly, along the 
bench. The Soldier of the Seamless 
Coat, squatting by the brazier, rises to 
his knees and clasps his hands. The 
Soldier of the Thorns, standing by the 
66 



THY KINGDOM COME 

torch, throws out his hands in a gesture 
of terror, OS if to keep her off. \ 

Tiik SOLDIEB OF THE LANCE: Who told 
yOU that, Missy? 

Jairus's I )Aii(iiii i.k: r I c called mc, 

The Soldi kr of tiik Thorns: I Fe? 

Jairus's Daughter: The Master. 

Tin-; Soldier ok tiik Coat: Called yon? 
[lie glances fearfully over his shoulder 
at the tomb]. 

Jairus's Daughter: He said, "Maid, arise." 

And I heard Mini, and came hack again, 
and got Up off the }h'(\. And Tie told them 
to give me something to eat. 

The Soldier of the Lance [always 

quietly] : How docs it feci to be dead ? 

Jairus's Dauotitkr [simply] : T don't know 
how to tell it. T came hack a long way. 

The Soldier of the Coat [on his knees by 
the brazier, flinging out his hands in a 
67 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

gesture of entreaty, his voice trembling 
with eagerness] : What do you say to 
that, Longinus? 

The Soldier of the Lance [clasping both 
arms round the child, and speaking mood- 
ily'] : I say, there came out water and 
blood from the wound. What else can 
I say? 

The Soldier of the Coat: The man at 
Bethany was four days in his grave. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [reluctantly'] : 
And somebody told me there was a 
widow's son at Nain- 

The Soldier of the Lance [brooding, with 
his arms clasped tight round the child] : 
He saved others 

The Child [on his knee] : Are you afraid He 
won't wake up in time to-morrow morn- 
ing? 

The Soldier of the Lance: Well, you see, 
ducky, He waked little sister here — maybe 
68 



THY KINGDOM COME 

— but who'll wake Him? My voice don't 
carry very far. 

The Child: Oh, He'll wake Himself. Just 
as I do when I say, "To-morrow morning 
I'll wake up at six." And then I do wake 
up at six. 

The Soldier of the Coat: That's so! 

The Soldier of the Thorns: And are you 
kids going to stay here the rest of the 
night? 

The Lad of the Loaves: No; I had to prom- 
ise we'd come back in half an hour, or 
they wouldn't have let us come. 

The Epileptic Boy: My father's discouraged. 
We're starting home at dawn. 

Jairus's Daughter: So is my father. He 
seems to think the Cross was the end of 
it all, when it's only the beginning. 

The Soldier of the Lance : The beginning 
of what, Missy? 

Jairus's Daughter: Of the Kingdom. 
69 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Soldier of the Thorns [bitterly] : A 
fine Kingdom — a dead man on a gibbet. 

The Other Two Soldiers [speaking to- 
gether, hastily] : Sshsh-h, you ! 

Jairus's Daughter [tranquilly]: The Mas- 
ter said, only this week, "I, if I be lifted 
up from the earth, will draw all men unto 
me." And then He was lifted up on the 
Cross. 

The Soldier of the Lance [quizzing her 
gently] : And now — where's He going to 
lift the rest of us up to — more crosses? 

Jairus's Daughter [always serene] : But I'd 
so much rather be on a cross with the 
Master than on a throne with Herod. 

The Lad of the Loaves: Or on the Judg- 
ment Seat with Pilate. , 

The Epileptic Boy: Or in the Holy of 
Holies with Caiaphas. 

The Child [turning on the Soldier's knee and 
looking up into his face] : Wouldn't you? 
70 



THY KINGDOM COME 

The Soldier of the Lance [laughing rue- 
fully] : Well, ducky darlin', if you put it 
that way, — I s'pose I would. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [gazing at his 
injured hand] : If one little thorn in your 
hand can hurt so bad, what must it be 
like— ?— still 

The Soldier of the Coat [wringing his 
hands in anguish] : I drove the nails ! I 
drove the nails ! Ah, but the Cross would 
be a soft bed — a soft bed indeed, for me ! 
I'm thinkin' I'll never rest quiet till I'm 
laid on it. 

[The children are gazing in round-eyed 
compassion at the Soldier of the Seam- 
less Coat.] 

The Soldier of the Lance [to the Soldier of 
the Seamless Coat, roughly] : Quit your 
whining, you ! Do you want to scare the 
kids? — [To the Lad of the Loaves]. — 
Tell us about this yere Kingdom of yours, 
youngster. Nobody over fourteen al- 
lowed inside, what? Infants admitted 
7i 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

free? — Say, couldn't you squeeze me 
through the gate if I stooped down and 
crawled in? [This to the child on his 
knee.] — Or I could sit in the baby's go- 
cart and you could push me. 

The Child : Wouldn't that be funny — you in 
a go-cart! The Master would surely 
laugh. But he didn't say you had to be 
children. 

The Soldier of the Lance: Didn't He, 
now? 

The Child: No; He said — [she pauses as if 
recalling something] — He said, "Whoso- 
ever shall not receive the Kingdom of 
God as a little child, he shall not enter 
therein." He said, "Suffer little children 
to come unto me, and forbid them not: 
for of such is the Kingdom of God." 
Don't you see? — as a little child. 

The Soldier of the Lance: Just what I 
said — in a go-cart ; and you wheeling me ! 

72 



THY KINGDOM COME 

The Child [laughing, but doubtful] : But I 
couldn't wheel you if you were too 
grown-up. 

The Soldier of the Lance: But if I 
promise not to grow up any more? 

The Child [smiling, with her head on one 
side] : Perhaps 

The Soldier of the Lance: And then, when 
we got inside — then what? 

The Lad of the Loaves: Then you'd never 
be hungry any more. Nobody's ever 
hungry. 

The Soldier of the Thorns: That's good 
hearing. How would you manage it? 

The Lad of the Loaves : The Master would 
show us how. You ought to have seen 
Him do it — that day we were outside 
Bethsaida — such a crowd! My father 
gave me a basket of barley bread, five 
loaves, and a couple of fishes, — little fel- 
lows they were. "You may be able to 
sell them," my father said. "Some of 
73 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

these guys are sure to go off without 
their lunch." And there wasn't anybody 
had anything to eat there that day — any- 
body but me; they didn't know it was 
going to be an all-day affair, I guess. And 
the Master looked up to heaven and 
blessed the bread and the fishes, and 
divided it up, and everybody had some 
and ate all they wanted. 

The Soldier of the Thorns: How many 
was there? 

The Lad of the Loaves: Five thousand. 

The Soldier of the Coat [eagerly] : I 
heard about that! 

The Soldier of the Thorns [to the Lad]: 
Did you eat some? 

The Lad of the Loaves: I ate some that was 
left. There was twelve baskets of bread 
and fish, scraps, left over. 

The Soldier of the Thorns: Oh, say, kid, 
you dreamed it! 

74 



THY KINGDOM COME 

The Lad of the Loaves: I was there. 

The Soldier of the Coat: Yes; I heard 
about them twelve baskets. 
[For a few moments there is silence.] 

The Soldier of the Lance [rousing from 
his reverie] : Well, so that's the first 
thing: no more hungry folks in your 
Kingdom, eh? 

The Lad of the Loaves: In the Master's 
Kingdom. 

Iairus's Daughter: But it takes more than 
fishes and barley bread to keep you from 
being hungry. In the Master's Kingdom 
we shall have the Bread of God, "which 
cometh down from Heaven and giveth life 
unto the world." 

The Soldier of the Coat: Who said that? 

Jairus's Daughter: The Master. 

The Soldier of the Coat: What is that 
Bread of God? 

Jairus's Daughter: The Master. 

75 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Soldier of the Thorns: What does 
the kid mean, Longmus? 

The Soldier of the Lance: Why should I 
know? Am I a rabbi? 

The Child [looking up earnestly, reproach- 
fully, into his face] : Oh, but you do 
know! 

The Soldier of the Lance [kissing her] : 
Kiddie; you're a mind-reader. [Turning 
to the Epileptic Boy] Well? Bread 
enough and to spare — barley bread and 
Bread of Heaven — and then what? 

The Epileptic Boy: No sick boys, like I used 
to be. 

The Soldier of the Thorns: Not a bad 
idea, what! Rosy cheeks; no snuffles; 
everybody in bloomin' health. Say, you 
kids have got the notion all right. 

The Epileptic Boy: Oh, but it's not our 
notion, you know. It's the Master's. 

The Soldier of the Lance [glancing at the 
tomb"] : No Kingdom without the Master? 
76 



THY KINGDOM COME 

The Epileptic Boy: How could there be? 

The Soldier of the Thorns [his eyes on the 
tomb] : But He's d 

The Soldier of the Lance [interrupting 
hastily]: Nobody hungry; nobody sick. 
Now, ducky, your turn 

The Child: I know a story about the King- 
dom. Shall I tell it? 

The Soldier of the Lance: Do! 

The Child: It's one of the Master's stories. 
I can't tell it as good as He could. 

The Soldier of the Lance: Never mind. 
We'll make allowance. Tune up, sweetie. 

The Child: Well — Once upon a time — the 
Kingdom of Heaven is like a man that 
got up early one morning and went down 
town to hire some laborers to work in 
his vineyard. 

The Soldier of the Coat: So there'll be 
work in the Kingdom? 

77 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Lad of the Loaves: Sure! Enough for 
all. Bread and work. 

The Child [shaking her finger mildly at the 
lad] : You mustn't interrupt; else may be 
I'll forget what came next. And the man 
said he'd pay them a penny a day. And 
they said, "That suits us, boss." And I 
believe that was about six o'clock in the 
morning. And about nine o'clock he went 
out to see if he couldn't get some more 
help. And there were still lots of men 
hanging round the market-place 

The Soldier of the Thorns: Sure! I've 



The Child: And he hired some more, and 
said he'd give them what was right. And 
they said 

The Soldier of the Thorns: "We're with 
you boss." 

The Child: Yes; I guess that's what they 
said. Only you mustn't interrupt. And 
at noon and at three o'clock there was still 

78 



THY KINGDOM COME 

such a lot of work to be done in the vine- 
yard that he hired some more, and some 
more. 

The Soldier of the Thorns: In luck, 
wasn't they? 

The Child [sternly] : You mustn't interrupt. 
And at five o'clock, just an hour before 
closing time, he said, "See here, if I'm 
going to finish this job to-day, I've got 

to hustle " 

[The Soldiers laugh delightedly.] 

The Child: And so he went to the market- 
place one more last time, and he said to 
the men that were there, "What are you 
fellows loafin' round here all day for, 
doin' nothin'?" And they said, "Because 
we can't find a job." 

The Soldier of the Thorns [to the Soldier 
of the Lance] : Smart kid, what ? 

The Child [ignoring him] : And so he said, 
"Well, you go to my vineyard, too, and 
you'll get what's right." 
79 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Soldier of the Thorns: And they 
said 

The Child [regarding him with gentle 1 dis- 
approval] : They didn't say anything. 
They just went. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [laughing] : 
The workin' men I know ain't so trustin'. 

The Child: Oh, but wait till you hear. This 
is the best part of the story. Because in 
the evening, the man said to his foreman : 
"Call the men and pay them ; and pay the 
ones that were hired last, first/' And every 
man that was hired at five o'clock in the 
afternoon got a penny. Now, what do 
you think of that? 

The Soldier of the Coat: That sure was 
white of the boss, wasn't it? 

The Child: And then, of course, the ones 
that had been working since six in the 
morning thought they were going to get 
more. But they didn't. Just the penny 
they said they'd work for. That's all 
they got. And so then they made a fuss 
80 



THY KINGDOM COME 

and said it wasn't fair, because they had 

worked all day, and the others only an 

hour. But the man said — let me see if I 

can remember the words. — The man — 

said — "Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst 

not thou agree with me for a penny? 

Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will 

give unto this last, even as unto thee." 

[There is a pause, during which the 

three Soldiers glance at each other 

amusedly, and wink, over the child's 

head.'] 

The Soldier of the Lance: You're sure 
you got the last part of the story straight, 
kiddie? 

The Child [astonished] : Yes ! 

Jairus's Daughter : Yes ; she got it straight. 

The Soldier of the Lance: And you think 
it was fair? 

Jairus's Daughter: For everybody to have 
as much as he needs to live on? Why, 
yes ! Don't you ? 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Soldier of the Lance: Whether they 
work for it or not? 

Jairus's Daughter: Oh, but they did work 
for it, as long as they were given a chance 
to work. There they stood in the mar- 
ket-place, ready to be hired. Could they 
help it if nobody hired them till five 
o'clock ? 

The Soldier of the Lance [Smiling] : It's 
a new idea in business, that's all. 

The Child: Why is it new? 

The Soldier of the Lance: Say, ducky, ask 
me another. 

The Soldier of the Coat: Just the same, 
it's a fine story, little darlin' ; and you told 
it fine. If it ain't true, it ought to be. 

The Child: But it is true — once upon a time, 
in the Kingdom. 

The Soldier of the Lance [to Jairus's 
Daughter] : And now you, little Missy ; 
what else is true in the Kingdom, once 
upon a time? 

82 



THE KINGDOM COME 

Jairus's Daughter [with her tranquil smile] : 
Everybody'll be alive, in the Kingdom. 

The Soldier of the Thorns: Alive! — 
What's the matter with us? 

Jairus's Daughter: Oh, I don't mean just 
breathing and eating and walking and 
talking. I mean, really alive — like the 
Master. 

The Soldier of the Coat: The Master! 
[He turns from the fire, on his knees, and 
gazes at the tomb with praying hands.] 

The Soldier of the Thorns: The Master! 

But He's 

[He pauses, his eyes fixed on the tomb.] 

The Soldier of the Lance [gently, looking 
over his shoulder at the tomb] : And if 

the Master — isn't 

[A voice in the distance, calling.] 

Voice : Children ! — Children ! 

The Child: Mother's calling. We must go. 
83 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Jairus's Daughter [to the Soldier of the 
Lane el : And if the Master isn't what? 

The Soldier of the Lance: Nothing. No 
matter. — So you don't think I'm alive, 
Missy? 

Jairus's Daughter [rising to go, and regard- 
ing him thoughtfully'] : Coming alive. 

Voice : Children ! — Bedtime ! 

The Lad of the Loaves: Coming! — Com- 
ing! 

The Epileptic Boy [pausing before the door 
of the tomb] : Thy Kingdom come! 

The Lad of the Loaves [pausing before the 
door of the tomb]: Thy will be done! 

Jairus's Daughter [pausing before the door 
of the tomb] : On earth as it is in heaven ! 

[The three move away from the door, 
looking back lingeringly at the tomb, as 
they disappear one by one beyond the 
cedar] . 

84 



THY KINGDOM COME 

The Child [slipping off the knee of the Sol- 
dier of the Lance, running to the tomb i 
and laying her cheek against the rocky 
door] : Hosanna ! Blessed is He that 
cometh in the name of the Lord: 
Blessed be the Kingdom of our father 
David, that cometh in the name of the 
Lord : Hosanna in the highest ! 

[She runs out after the others, beyond 
the cedar.] 

Voice: Children! 

Children [from a distance] : Coming ! 

[The Soldier of the Seamless Coat puts 
more twigs on the fire. The Soldier 
of the Thorns begins his slow, steady 
beat, up and down before the tomb. 
The Soldier of the Lance stretches out 
once more on the bench. There is a 
brief silence.] 

The Soldier of the Lance [looking over 
Ms shoulder at the Soldier of the 
Thorns] : How's a fellow to.get his forty 

85 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

winks, with you clankin' up an* down, 
clankin' up and down ? 

The Soldier of the Thorns: Nerves. 
That's what's the matter with you. 
[He slumps dozvn with his back against 
the cedar and his legs sprawled out on 
the ground before him.~\ 

The Soldier of the Coat: I don't believe 
the little kid got twisted in her story. I 
believe He told it that way. It would be 
like Him. 

The Soldier of the Thorns: I don't know 
what I believe. 

[He yawns, and presently his head drops 
forward on his chest — and he sleeps.} 

The Soldier of the Coat [stretching out on 
the ground by the brazier]: I, if I be 
lifted up — lifted up. A soft bed — 
Cross. Never rest quiet — never rest 
quiet — till I'm laid on it. [He sleeps, 
murmuring'] Never rest quiet — cold. 
Rest on the Cross. [In his sleep he turns 
86 



THY KINGDOM COME 

on his back and flings his arms out on the 
ground in the shape of a cross.] I — if 
I be lifted up — lifted up — all men unto 
me. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [wincing in his 
sleep] : If I'd known that one little thorn 
could — Father, they know not what they 
do — Father, forgive them. 
[There is silence for a brief space.] 

The Soldier of the Lance [lying on the 
bench with face upturned to the stars and 
eyes closed] : Coming alive ! — Coming ! — 
Coming alive! 

Silence. The Soldiers sleep. From behind 
the flowering almond tree their dreams come 
drifting in. The Soldiers are dreaming of 
children. 

The Soldier of the Thorns dreams of a child 
with shadowy hair and clad in a dim, filmy 
purple gozvn. She bears a purple cushion in 
her two hands. There is a crown of thorns 
on the cushion. Noiselessly the child passes 
87 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

before the Soldier and kneels beside him, her 
shoulder against his. Their two faces are 
turned the one way, side by side. His eyes are 
shut, for he is asleep; but the eyes of his 
Dream are set wide open, gazing upon the 
crown of thorns out-held upon the purple 
cushion. 

The Dream of the Soldier of the Lance slips 
round the almond tree and sits at his head, on 
the bench. She has a tall spear. She is a little 
gray dream, but there are silver gleams within 
her gray veils, and the veil over her hair is 
bound with a silver circlet. She sits with little 
gray feet dangling from the bench, steadying 
herself with clasped hands against the upright 
spear. Her small face looks straight forward, 
wide-eyed. 

The Soldier of the Seamless Coat dreams 
of a child with pale, flying hair, and a dim, 
blue transparent gown. In her right hand she 
holds three great iron nails. Over her left 
arm hangs, fold on floating fold, a dim blue 
cloak. The child kneels above her prostrate 
Soldier and holds the three nails over his face. 
The cloak, thin as a shadow, trails, a dark pool 
88 



THY KINGDOM COME 

on the ground about her knees. Her eyes are 
on the three nails. 

Yet another Dream comes presently from 
behind the almond tree and stands beside the 
brazier. The three soldiers sigh. The fourth 
Dream is a russet-brovm child, translucent in 
the firelight. This little Dream carries a cross. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [in the mono- 
tone of one who talks in his sleep] : Then 
the soldiers of the governor took Jesus 
into the palace and gathered unto him the 
whole band, and they stripped him and 
put on him a scarlet robe. And they 
plaited a crown of thorns [the voice 
falters] , a crown of thorns, and put it on 
his head, and a reed in his right hand, 
and they kneeled down before him and 
mocked him saying, Hail, King of the 
Jews [the voice falters]. And they spat 
upon him and took the reed and smote 
him on the head. 

The Soldier of the Coat [crying out] : 
When they had mocked him, they took off 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

from him the robe and put on him his 
garments and led him away to .crucify 
him. And when they had crucified him, 
they parted his garments among them 
[the voice falters] casting lots. And they 
sat and watched him there. 

The Soldier of the Lance [in a thoughtful 
monotone] : Jesus said, Father forgive 
them for they know not what they do. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [in his level 
voice] : The soldiers led him away within 
the court which is the Prsetorium and they 
call together the whole band. And they 
clothe him in purple, and plaiting a crown 
of thorns [the voice falters], they put it 
on him and they began to salute him, Hail 
King of the Jews. And they smote his 
head with a reed and did spit upon him 
and bowing their knees worshiped him. 

The Soldier of the Lance [in his musing 
voice] : He said unto him, Verily I say 
unto thee to-day shalt thou be with me in 
Paradise. 

90 



THY KINGDOM COME 

The Soldier of the Coat [in a clear, high 
voice] : When they had mocked him, they 
took off from him the purple and put on 
him his garments. And they lead him out 
to crucify him. And they crucify him 
[the voice falters], and part his garments 
among them casting lots upon them [the 
voice falters], what each should take. 
And it was the third hour. 

The Soldier of the Lance [gently] : He 
saith unto his Mother, Woman behold 
thy son. 

The Soldier of the Coat [in anguish] : 
Casting lots upon them! 

The Soldier of the Lance [gently] : Then 
saith He to the disciple, Behold thy 
Mother. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [steadily]: 
Herod with his soldiers set him at nought 
and mocked him, and arraying him in gor- 
geous apparel, sent him back to Pilate. 
91 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Soldier of the Coat [crying out rest- 
lessly] : Parting his garments, they cast 
lots, and the people stood by beholding. 

The Soldier of the Lance [in his inward, 
brooding voice] : Jesus saith, I thirst 

The Soldier of the Thorns [in his slow 
monotone] : The soldiers plaited a crown 
of thorns [the voice falters] and put it 
on his head and arrayed him in a purple 
garment [the voice falters]. They struck 
him with their hands. 

The Soldier of the Lance [softly] : About 
the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud 
voice saying [in agony], My God, my 
God, why hast thou forsaken me? 

The Soldier of the Coat [in the monotone 
of sleep] : The soldiers, therefore, when 
they had crucified Jesus, took his garments 
and made four parts, to every soldier a 
part, and also the coat. Now the coat [the 
voice falters] was without seam, woven 
from the top throughout. They said there- 
fore one to another, Let us not rend it but 
92 



THY KINGDOM COME 

cast lots for it whose it shall be [the voice 
falters]. These things therefore the sol- 
diers did. 

[The Dream of the Seamless Coat rises to 
her feet, spreads wide the blue shadowy 
veil of the dream cloak and lays it over 
the Soldier, covering him. Then she 
kneels again.] 

The Soldier of the Lance [quietly] : When 
Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, 
he said, It is finished. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [absorbed in his 
dream] : The soldiers plaited a crown of 
thorns and put it on his head. 

The Soldier of the Coat [absorbed in his 
dream] : Let us not rend it but cast lots 
for it whose it shall be. 

The Soldier of the Lance [absorbed in his 
dream] : When Jesus had cried with a 
loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hand 
I commend my spirit. And having said 
this, he gave up the ghost. 

93 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

The Soldier of the Coat [absorbed in his 
dream] : Casting lots upon them, what 
each should take. 

The Soldier of the Thorns [absorbed in his 
dream] : They plaited a crown of thorns 
and put it on his head. 

The Soldier of the Lance [absorbed in his 
dream] : But when they came to Jesus 
and saw that he was dead already, they 
brake not his legs, howbeit one of the 
soldiers with a spear [the voice falters] 
pierced his side; and straightway there 
came out blood and water. And he that 
hath seen hath borne witness and his wit- 
ness is true [in terrible anguish]. They 
shall look on him whom they pierced. 

[A space of silence. The Dreams turn and 
bless their Soldiers with the sign of the 
Cross. The Dream with the Cross exalts 
his Cross slowly. ] 

The Soldier of the Thorns [in his dream] : 
Thy Kingdom come. 
94 



THY KINGDOM COME 

The Soldier of the Coat [in his dream] : 
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in 
heaven. 

The Soldier of the Lance [in his dream] : 
Hosanna! Blessed is He that cometh in 
the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the 
highest ! 

[The Dream of the Seamless Coat gathers 
up the dream coat. The Dream with 
the Cross exalts the Cross. The four 
Dreams, bearing aloft the symbols of 
the Passion, go past the tomb in slozv 
procession, with the Cross leading them, 
and out beyond the almond tree.] 

The Soldier of the Lance [crying out with 
a joyful voice in his sleep, as the Dreams 
vanish] : Behold, by the Cross joy hath 
come to the whole world! 

The Soldier of the Thorns: By the Cross! 

The Soldier of the Coat: Joy! 

The Soldier of the Lance: Hath come to 
the whole World ! 
95 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Silence. The soldiers sleep. The white- 
robed angels of the Resurrection come from 
behind the tomb. They scatter the palms and 
flowers of the Galilean Children in a little path- 
zvay before the tomb. They set their winged 
shoulders to the great stone and roll it slozvly, 
quietly away from the mouth of the tomb. 
They stand, one on each side of the open door- 
way of the tomb, their great wings arched 
above their bowed heads, their reverent hands 
folded over their eyes. Silence. The darkness 
before dawn. 



96 



Ill 

Soul's Medicine 

A Whitsuntide Miracle of Healing 



Hark! the alleluias of the great salva- 
tion! 

Still beginning, never ending, still 
begin, 

The thunder of an endless adoration: 

Open ye the gates, that the righteous 
nation 

Which have kept the truth may enter 
in. 

Christina Rossetti. 



The Everyday Folk 

Mother Eglantine: A holy anchoress 

Felelolie: Her young handmaiden 

John o' Dreams: Who would turn the world 

topsy turvy 
Conrad: Of the University 
Master Theobald: A physician 
Master Humphrey: A lazvyer 
Master Valentine: A merchant 
Father Martin : A parson 
Sir Randal: Who owns the land roundabout 
Clarimonde: His fair daughter 

The Lordly Phantasms 

The Harper: A hoary ancient in a white- 
hooded robe, who carries a harp 

A Knight of the Round Table: On Quest, 
and clad in Pentecostal scarlet 

A Sick Knight: Swathed in bandages and 
borne on a litter 

A Damsel: His sister 

99 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

King Arthur: Crowned and sceptred and 
powerless to heal. 

Knights of the Round Table: As many as 
may be, Bors, Kay, Gawaine, Gareth, and 
any others. 

Knights who guard the Grail: Seven, 
riding a-horseback, with a device of a 
white dove on their shields. But if horses 
are not convenient, they may go afoot. 

Grail Maidens: Seven, garlanded; of these 
five bear lighted tapers, and one bears a 
spear, the seventh bears the Grail. 

A roadside in spring. On the farther side of 
the road, a grassy hill with tall up-climbing 
trees on its slope; and under the hill, at the 
road's edge, a little Gothic hermitage with a 
window on the road. At the side of the house, 
a small garden patch blooming within a low 
hedge, the gabled door of the house opening 
into the garden, and a green gate in the hedge 
leading out to the road. On the peak of the 
window's arch, a dove cunningly carven with 
wings outspread and a brass censer hanging 
from its bill by a chain. The curtain across 

IOO 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

the window is black, with a white cross of linen 
set in the midst, so that the Recluse within the 
house, seeing the sunlight shine through the 
white cross, may think upon the Dayspring 
from on High. Beneath the window, against 
the side of the house, a bench; and up the hill, 
a little way above the road, between two trees, 
another bench. On the hither side of the road, 
a great wooden cross. 

The day is Whitsunday, once upon a time. 



IOI 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

[The anchoress is heard within her celt, 
singing a hymn.] 

Mother Eglantine : 

"Come, Thou Holy Spirit, come! 
And from Thy celestial home 
Shed a ray of light divine ! 
Come, Thou father of the poor! 
Come, Thou source of all our store! 
Come, within our bosoms shine !" 

[While Mother Eglantine is singing, 
Felelolie comes out of the house into the 
garden. She is a young girl in a strait 
russet gown with a hempen girdle about 
her middle and a flowered kerchief 
loosely knotted at her throat; a red 
pocket with a white dove embroidered 
on it, swings from her girdle; and she 
has also thrust through her girdle a 
small pair of tongs. She walks care- 
fully, for she carries in her hands a little 
brazier with red coals blazing in it. 
She pushes the green gate open with her 
knee and comes around the house to the 
window. ~\ 

102 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Mother Eglantine : 

"Thou, of comforters the best; 
Thou, the soul's most welcome guest ; 
Sweet refreshment here below ;" 

[Felelolie sets the brazier on the ground 
under the window, and stepping up on 
the bench, unhooks the censer from its 
chain.] 

Mother Eglantine : 

"In our labor, rest most sweet ; 
Grateful coolness in the heat ; 
Solace in the midst of woe." 

[Felelolie is kneeling on the ground beside 
the brazier, plucking red coals out of 
the fire with the tongs, and dropping 
them into the censer. Mother Eglantine 
draws the curtain aside and looks out 
of doors. She wears a gray habit and 
a white wimple. ] 

Felelolie: It is only I, Mother Eglantine, 
making your Whitsunday fire. 
103 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

[Mother Eglantine watches Felelolie fill 
the censer and climb again upon the 
bench to hang it in place."] 

Mother Eglantine [suddenly, as from a 
reverie]: Sing, child, — sing! 

[And as they are singing together, Felelo- 
lie hangs up the censer, opens her red 
pocket, takes out a twisted squill of in- 
cense and sprinkles it over the coals.] 

Mother Eglantine and Felelolie [singing 
together] : 
"O most blessed Light divine, 
Shine within these hearts of Thine, 

And our inmost being fill ! 
Where Thou art not, man hath naught, 
Nothing good in deed or thought, 
Nothing free from taint of ill." 
[Still singing, they watch the fragrant 
smoke rise from the censer, Felelolie 
standing on the bench, Mother Eglan- 
tine in the window.] 
"Heal our wounds ; our strength renew ; 
On our dryness pour Thy dew ; 
Wash the stains of guilt away: 
104 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Bend the stubborn heart and will; 

Melt the frozen, warm the chill; 
Guide the steps that go astray. ,, 

[FSlelolie steps down from the bench and 
busies herself with the brazier and the 
tongs. The seven Grail Knights ride 
by, at a slow pace. They are in silver 
mail, with flame-colored surcoats, and 
there are doves blazoned on their 
shields. Felelolie, not noticing them, 
takes up the brazier, to go back into the 
house. 1 

Mother Eglantine [rapt] : The seven gifts 
of the Spirit ! See ! 

Felelolie: Where? — What? [She stares at 
Mother Eglantine."] 

Mother Eglantine [with hands folded on 
her breast] : 
"On the faithful, who adore 
And confess Thee, evermore 

In Thy sevenfold gifts descend; 
Give them virtue's sure reward; 
Give them Thy salvation, Lord; 
Give them joys that never end." 
105 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Felelolie: Amen! O Mother Eglantine, 
what did you see ? 

Mother Eglantine: I saw the gifts of the 
Spirit go riding by, like seven Knights of 
God; the gift of Holy Fear, the gift of 
Piety which is Mercy, the gift of Knowl- 
edge which is Discretion, the gift of 
Ghostly Strength, the gift of Counsel 
whereby man learns to say "Thy Kingdom 
come, Thy will be done," the gift of Un- 
derstanding, which unites us with God and 
reveals Truth, and quickens Love, the gift 
of Savouring Wisdom, which is the first 
gift but also the last. And they were 
arrayed in the flame of Pentecost, and 
there was a Dove on their shields. 

[Felelolie has been listening open- 
mouthed, and walking backward toward 
the green gate, with the brazier in her 
hands.] 

Felelolie [halting a moment at the gate] : 
Like the Knights in the Grail story, that 

1 06 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Conrad reads to Sir Randal's daughter for 
a French lesson ! They had doves on their 
shields ! 

[She turns and goes through the gate into 
the garden. John o' Dreams is coming 
down the hill through the trees, all red 
like a wandering flame. Felelolie sees 
him and stands still in the garden. He 
comes to the hedge and leans his arms 
upon it, and looks at her.] 

Mother Eglantine [at her window, with 
clasped hands and uplifted eyes] : "O God, 
who as at this time didst teach the hearts 
of thy faithful people, by sending to them 
the light of thy Holy Spirit: grant us by 
the same Spirit to have a right judgment 
in all things, and evermore to rejoice in 
his holy comfort; through the merits of 
Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and 
reigneth with thee, in the unity of the 
same Spirit, one God, world without end. 
Amen." [She draws the curtain across 
the window.] 

107 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

John o' Dreams [quietly] : They're going to 
drive me out of town, Felelolie; they're 
going to make me an outlaw. 

Felelolie [distressfully] : Oh no! Oh, John, 
— no; [She halts in the middle of the 
garden patch, staring at him, with the 
brazier in her hands.] 

John o' Dreams: I've frightened them. 

Felelolie: An outlaw! — Like Robin Hood 
and his men ? 

John o' Dreams: Something like. But it 
won't be all shooting the red deer and 
robbing the sheriff. I'm a long way beyond 
Robin. I'll not be waiting outside the law 
for the King's pardon. It's Kings that'll 
come to me to pardon them. I've more 
than a grievance; I've a vision. 

Felelolie [moving slowly toward him] : 
Mother Eglantine has a vision almost 
every day. Sometimes two or three. 

John o' Dreams [contemptuously] : I don't 
mean that kind. 

108 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Felelolie: It's a very nice kind. She had 
one just now. She saw the Knights of 
the Grail go riding by, with a dove on 
their shields. 

John o' Dreams [thoughtfully]: The Grail! 

Felelolie [ pausing beside the hedge and 
him] : There were seven of them, Mother 
Eglantine saw ; the seven gifts of the Holy 
Ghost. 

John o' Dreams [still with his elbows on the 
hedge, staring beyond her as she stands 
beside him] : The Grail ! It's my quest, 
too, Felelolie; it's what I'm seeking. — 
But nobody believes me. 

Felelolie: I believe you, John. 

John o' Dreams [looking at her and suddenly 
smiling] : What are you bringing me that 
pot of charcoal for? How can I kiss you 
across a bonfire? 

Felelolie [mischievously] : You can't. 

John o' Dreams: Give it here. [He takes the 
brazier out of her hands.] 
109 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 
Felelolie : It's the Whitsunday fire, John. 

John o' Dreams [looking down at the brazier 
curiously] : This ? — I wish it could give 
me the gift of tongues, Felelolie. I wish I 
could make them understand, 

Felelolie : Them ? 

John o' Dreams : That'll run me out of town; 
old Valentine that owns the shop, and Sir 
Randal that owns the land, and Master 
Humphrey their law twister; and Pillbox 
Theobald that thinks the world is sick 
with the gout in its great toe, and gout's 
an hereditary taint, incurable. — I talk a 
different language from theirs, Felelolie; 
they don't understand a word I say ; — and 
Parson. 

Felelolie: Parson ought to understand. 

John o' Dreams: He ought, — yes.- — But the 
money for his alms-basin and his hospital, 
and for altar candles and incense and all 
the rest of it, comes out of their pockets. 
He's afraid, — Oh, the others don't sur- 
no 



SOUPS MEDICINE 

prise me — much; but Parson I can't 
forgive. 

Felelolie: You don't mean that he's for 
making you an outlaw ? 

John o' Dreams: He's not against it. 

Felelolie: Oh, John! Parson's a good man. 
It's just that he doesn't understand. 

John o' Dreams: It's his business to under- 
stand. — Pentecostal Fire! Flame of the 
Holy Ghost! — It's his business to talk to 
me in my own tongue. — Felelolie, if I'm 
cast out, will you 

Felelolie: Will I what? 

John o' Dreams: Oh, sweet eyes! Oh, honey- 
sweet lips! — How much longer must I 
hold this brazier? — Where will you have 
it? 

Felelolie: It was you, asked for it. Bring 

it round to the doorstone, I'll be needing 

it again at Terce, to fill the censer. Terce 

is the hour of the Holy Ghost, — the third 

in 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

hour, — when the Apostles saw the flames 
and heard the wind, on Whitsunday. [She 
takes one handle and he the other, and 
with the hedge between them they carry 
the brazier around to the gate, zvhere he 
comes into the garden, and together they 
set it on the doorstone. 

John o' Dreams [as they are walking round 
the hedge, linked by the brazier] : You 
fill the censer for the Hours, every day? 
[He opens the gate and enters the garden.] 

Felelolie: Prime, Terce, Sext, Nones, Com- 
pline. Not every day; but this is the 
Festival of the Holy Spirit. When an- 
choresses and holy hermits are set apart 
from us common Christians, the Parson 
prays a special prayer for them to the 
Holy Ghost. That's why everybody comes 
to Mother Eglantine to be counseled and 
comforted, I'm sure. [Having set the 
brazier on the doorstone, they stand a 
moment, silent, looking in each other's 
eyes. Then Felelolie says], Will I what? 
112 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

John o' Dreams: If they drive me out, will 
you come with me, Felelolie? [He takes 
her two hands.] 

Felelolie: Like Maid Marian? 

John o' Dreams : Like yourself ; little darling! 
[He kisses her.] 

Felelolie: When? 

John o' Dreams: To-day, — to-morrow, — all 
in a minute, when it happens. 

Felelolie: Oh, John! — But not until I found 
someone to take care of Mother Eglantine ; 
to go to market and cook — and all. It's 
five years to-day since she set foot outside 
her cell. 

John o' Dreams [moodily] : If she's worth 
her salt to the town, there'll be somebody 
clamoring to do for her, before you're 
gone an hour. And if she's not, — why, 
then, — let her cook her own victuals, — I 
say. 

Felelolie [horror struck] : You ! To speak 
so — of Mother Eglantine ! 
113 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

John o' Dreams: Not of her more than of 
another. It's my vision, Felelolie ; a world 
where a man's worth what he does for his 
neighbor, not what he makes off him. 

Felelolie: But Mother Eglantine ! 

John o' Dreams [patiently] : Isn't it what I'm 
saying? Some of us are worth more to 
the world by saying prayers than by cook- 
ing victuals. See now, sweetheart, let's 
not you and me lose our common tongue, 
— love's tongue. 

Felelolie [clinging to him]: Oh, no, John! 
But then, there's the banns. 

John o' Dreams : Banns! 

Felelolie: To be called in church three 
weeks, before we're married. 

John o' Dreams: How could I wait for banns, 
if I'm sent into exile to-morrow morning? 

Felelolie: But then, Parson couldn't marry 
us! 

John o' Dreams: I never thought he would. 
114 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Felelolie [drawing away from him slowly] : 
Then what did you think? 

[They stand staring at each other in hor- 
rified amazement. Felelolie turns and 
goes into the house.] 

John o' Dreams: Felelolie! — Wait! — You 
don't understand ! 

[She shuts the door, and he stands alone 
in the little garden, staring moodily at 
the closed door. Conrad and Clari- 
monde are coming down the hill, among 
the trees, hand in hand. Conrad wears 
a scholar's black short gown and 
trencher cap, and scarlet stockings. He 
has a parchment-covered book under 
his arm. Clarimonde is fair and fine in 
a primrose yellow silken gown and a 
jeweled girdle; primroses are woven in 
her hair. They sit down between the 
two trees on the bench, on the hillside. 
Conrad opens his book, and together 
they bend their heads over it. Mother 
Eglantine is heard singing in her cell.] 

115 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Mother Eglantine : 

"Hail thee, Festival Day! blest day that art 
hallowed forever; 
Day wherein God from heaven shone on the 
world with his grace. 

"Lo ! in the likeness of fire, on them that await 
his appearing, 
He whom the Lord foretold, suddenly, 
swiftly descends. 

"Forth from the Father he comes with his 
sevenfold mystical dowry, 
Pouring on human souls infinite riches of 
God. 

"Praise to the Spirit of Life, all praise to the 
Fount of our being, 
Light that dost lighten all, Life that in all 
dost abide. 

"God Almighty, who fillest the heaven, the 
earth and the ocean, 
Guard us from harm without, cleanse us from 
evil within. 

116 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

"Kindle our lips with the live bright coal from 
the hands of the Seraph; 
Shine in our minds with thy light; burn in 
our hearts with thy love." 

[While Mother Eglantine is singing, John 
o } Dreams lifts his head to hearken; 
then he goes to the do or stone once 
more, picks up the brazier, regards it 
thoughtfully a moment, and carries it 
to the bench under the anchoress's win- 
dow. Stepping up on the bench he un- 
hooks the censer and, with the tongs 
which Felelolie has left lying on the 
bench, he takes the dead coals from the 
censer and fills it with the live ones. As 
he is hanging the censer in its place 
again, standing on the bench, the 
anchoress looks out from behind the 
curtain. ] 

Mother Eglantine: Child, it's not yet the 
third hour ; Prime is but a little while past. 
[She sees John o y Dreams.] I thought 
it was the little maid. What are you 
doing, young man? 
117 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

John o' Dreams [looking dozvn at her]: 
Seeking the gift of tongues, Mother 
Eglantine, and counsel. I'm in a hard 
place. 

Mother Eglantine [setting a little dish of 
incense on the window sill] : You might 
as well sprinkle a bit of incense on the 
coals, since you're so forehanded with the 
fire. 

[John o f Dreams sprinkles incense from 
the dish upon the censer. As the sweet 
smoke ascends, Mother Eglantine, 
watching the young man zvith her keen, 
kind eyes, sings again, repeating the last 
two stanzas of the hymn.] 

"God Almighty, who flllest the heaven, the 
earth and the ocean, 
Guard us from harm without, cleanse us 
from evil within. 

"Kindle our lips with the live bright coal from 
the hands of the Seraph; 
Shine in our minds with thy light; burn in 
our hearts with thy love." 
118 



SOUPS MEDICINE 

John o' Dreams: Amen. [He steps down 
from the bench and stands before her, 
awkwardly, his cap in his hand.] 

Mother Eglantine: Well, John, what's the 
trouble ? 

John o' Dreams [wide arms embracing the 
universe] : It's a sick world, Mother Eg- 
lantine. 

Mother Eglantine: And you've a cure 
for it? 

John o' Dreams [with a gloomy gesture down 
the road] : They don't think so. 

Mother Eglantine: What do you want to 
do, John? 

John o' Dreams [passionately] : I want to 
turn the world upside down. 

Mother Eglantine: You're not the first 

John o' Dreams: They're for driving me 
out of town. 

Mother Eglantine: You're lucky they're 
not for crucifying you. 
119 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

John o' Dreams: Crucify? — You mean ? 

Mother Eglantine: I said you were not the 
first. But is your way His? 

John o' Dreams: It's not Parson's way. 

Mother Eglantine [soberly] : Are you say- 
ing that Parson's way is not the way of 
the Crucified? What is it you're trying 
to say, my son? 

John o' Dreams: I'm saying Parson's way 
is not my way. You can make what you 
like out of that. 

Mother Eglantine [gently] : First, I'll 
hear what your way is. l 

John o' Dreams: It's a topsy turvy way. 
You won't understand. My way is to put 
down the mighty from their seat, and to 
exalt the humble and meek. I'd fill the 
hungry with good things, and I'd send the 
rich away empty. We'll never cure our 
sick world till we've scattered the proud 
in the imagination of their hearts, — 
never ! 

120 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Mother Eglantine: But, my son, Parson 
says those words over every day of his 
life, at vespers. [She chants], 

"He hath put down the mighty from their 
seat: and hath exalted the humble and 
meek. 
He hath filled the hungry with good things: 
and the rich he hath sent empty away." 

John o' Dreams [bitterly] : More shame to 
him, that he doesn't live by them. A par- 
rot can say words over every day, but does 
it understand? Come, now, does he live 
by them? 

Mother Eglantine [considering sadly] : But 
Sir Randal and Master Valentine have 
the power and the money. What can 
Parson do? 

John o' Dreams: Do? — He can ask me and 
my kind to help him. And woe to him 
if he doesn't! 

Mother Eglantine: You threaten! Wicked 
boy! 

121 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

John o' Dreams [in great excitement] : Now 
hear you, Mother Eglantine, you and 
your Church! If they thrust me out, and 
you let them thrust me out, you that cling 
to the skirts of the mighty, — I'll destroy 
you with them, you and Mammon, your 
God! 

Mother Eglantine [with uplifted arm and 
stern countenance] : On your knees, on 
your knees, John o' Dreams! Repent! 
Repent ! Blasphemer ! 

John o' Dreams [staggering to his knees, as 
if against his wilt] : You don't under- 
stand ! You don't understand ! O Mother 
Eglantine, it's the Grail I'm seeking! — 
You don't understand! [Fallen on his 
knees, he flings himself against the bench 
under the window, and kneels there, his 
arms on the bench, his face buried in his 
arms, his back to the road.] 

Mother Eglantine [casting up eyes and 
hands in prayer] : A right judgment, a 
right judgment in all things ! O Spirit of 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Truth, whom the world cannot receive, 
because it seeth thee not, neither knoweth 
thee : dwell with us, be in us, that we may 
know thee. O Comforter, which art the 
Holy Ghost, whom the Father sendeth in 
Christ's name: teach us all things, and 
bring all things to our remembrance, 
whatsoever Christ hath said unto us. 
Amen. 

[The seven Knights of the Grail ride by. 
Mother Eglantine stands in her win^ 
dow, rapt, with uplifted hands. After 
the seven Knights on horseback there 
follows a zveary Knight afoot. The 
seven ride by at a swift pace, but the 
weary one stops at the wayside cross, 
on the hither side of the road. He 
'takes off his shield and his helmet and 
lies down at the foot of the cross, on 
his shield, and sleeps. A sick man on 
a litter passes by. The litter bearers 
are six, — an African decked in strings 
of bright shells, a Mongolian with a 
long queue and wearing the rich silk 
garments of a mandarin, a brown 
123 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Indian in flowing garments and a tur- 
ban, and three white men, a golden 
haired Viking, a black haired trouba- 
dour, and a brown haired burgess.] 

Mother Eglantine [crying out in anguish] : 
A sick world! — A sick world! O God! 
And who shall heal it? 

[The litter bearers pause beside the cross 
and set down the litter. The sick man, 
rising on his elbow, stretches out his 
other hand in appeal to the sleeping 
Knight, and seems to plead with him. 
But it is Mother Eglantine who 
pleads.] 

Mother Eglantine: By the Grail only 
shall the world be healed ! Who is he who 
shall bring again the Grail to a sick world ? 
"When shall this sorrow leave me, and 
when shall the holy vessel come by me, 
wherethrough I shall be blessed? For I 
have endured thus long, for little tres- 
pass. Take heed unto me that I may be 
whole of this malady." 
124 



SOUPS MEDICINE 

[The sleeping Knight lies still as a stone 
on his shield. The litter-bearers lift 
the litter and bear the sick man away, 
down the road. After them comes a 
hoary ancient in a hermit's white 
hooded gown, with a harp in his hand, 
and sits down on the steps of the Cross, 
beside the sleeping Knight, and strikes 
his harp, and makes as if he were chant- 
ing a lay. But it is Mother Eglantine 
who chants that lay. And at the sound 
of her chanting come Conrad and Clari- 
monde down from their bench on the 
hillside, and Felelolie out of the house 
into the garden. And these three peer 
around the corner of the hedge and see 
John o } Dreams on his knees, and 
Mother Eglantine singing. And they 
stand at the green gate looking on one 
another and listening, finger on lip, and 
smiling. But they hear, only; their 
eyes are on one another. The vision is 
not for them. 



125 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Mother Eglantine [chanting] : 
Afar in the silver twilight, 
Where the Celtic heathen dwell, 
And all the world is a shadow-place, 
And the shadow moves in a spell — 
They saw it first, they tell. 

And what they saw was a cauldron, 
And a spear-point dropping blood, 
And whoso suppeth once that brew 
Shall need none other food. 
Nor Christ was yet on rood. 

Anon, they will that they saw it, 
And Christ was long years dead: 
A stone they saw, whereon a dove 
A holy wafer laid. 

It was the stone, they said. 

And Joseph of Arimathea, 
He bare from Calvary 
A little dish that Christ's blood caught 
When Christ hanged on the tree — 
That dish it well might be. 

"A thing," they said, "that appeareth, 
And vanisheth whence it came; 
126 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Yet, not one thing, but many things ; 
The same, and not the same — 

The Grail," they said, "is its name." 

In good King Fisherman's castle 
By night that thing was seen, 
Where fast behind a dripping spear 
A maiden, whole and clean, 
Bare it, her hands between. 

In empty wayside chapels 
It bode a little space; 
In desert wilds it sang and shined; 
But most its dwelling place 
Was dream — by Goddes grace. 

And all King Arthur's menye, 
The flow'r of chivalrie, 
They vowed to seek that holy thing, 
And who that might it see, 
The best Knight he must be. 

And some there be will have it 
How Galahad was best; 
And some do say, despite his sin, 
The Old Book hath confessed 
'Twas Percivale won the quest. 
127 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

But one, the glory of Knighthood, 
No vision hath him got, 
That in well-loving sorely sinned, 
And aye repented not — 
The fair Sir Launcelot. 

And haply Galahad saw it, 
And haply Percivale, 
But still there be that hold that quest 
To seek the Holy Grail; 
And still there be that fail. 

And ever the land of Logres 
Lies wasting and accurst, 
Till one shall bring again the cup 
To quench a Kingdom's thirst, — 
The cup Christ tasted first. 

"A thing," they said, "that appeareth, 

The same, and not the same; 

A little child, the Crucified, 

A chalice crowned with flame — 

The Grail," they said, "is its name/ 

It came from out of the twilight 
Or ever dawned the day; 
128 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

It changeth oft, it vanisheth, 
It passeth not away — 
Nor never shall, we pray. 

It lureth the valiant onward, 
"Who knoweth Me, is blest." 
Lay down, lay down thy darling sin, 
And set thy lance in rest: 

The Quest, brother, the Quest! 

[The procession of the Grail passes by. 
First, a maiden in the soft hues of 
dawn and doves, bearing in her hands 
a blood-stained spear. After her, two 
maidens, side by side, in the tender 
shimmering green color of young birch 
leaves, and bearing tall lighted tapers 
in golden candlesticks. Then, the 
Grail-bearer, walking alone; over her 
golden kirtle she wears a robe of rain- 
bow; in her two hands she bears aloft 
the Grail chalice covered with a golden 
veil. Three maidens follow the Grail, 
side by side, in green again, with lights. 
All the maidens and the Grail maiden 
are wreathed and garlanded with spring 
129 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

flowers. They pass by at a slow pace. 
The old man lays down his harp and 
falls on his knees. The Knight sleeps, 
as always, motionless upon his shield. 
While the Grail is passing, Conrad is 
leaning on the green gate, turning the 
leaves of his book and talking to Clari- 
monde and Felelolie who look over his 
right shoulder and his left, following 
his finger on the book's page.] 

Conrad: She is telling John the story of the 
Grail. Some of it is her own telling, but 
some of it is in this very book. Do you 
see? I will make it English. [He points 
to the page and they follow his finger.] 

"When shall this sorrow leave me, and 
when shall the holy vessel come by me, 
wherethrough I shall be blessed." The 
very words of the book — and here 
again 

Felelolie : I think you are mistaken, Conrad. 
I think John is confessing his sins. 
130 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Clarimonde: But you cannot read, Felelolie; 
what can you know ? Here are the words 
— ' 'Take — heed — unto — me — that — I — be 
— whole — of — this — malady" 

Felelolie: Still, I think John is confessing 
his sins. He is on his knees. And — he 
has a sin. And I think Mother Eglantine 
is seeing a vision. 

Conrad: Do you think she is seeing a vision 
of the Grail? 

Felelolie: Perhaps. She saw the seven 
Knights of the Grail ride by this morning, 
the seven Knights that are the seven gifts 
of the Holy Ghost. 

Clarimonde [awestruck] : Perhaps she is 
seeing it now! What if the Grail were 
passing by? 

[They all three stare out upon the road, 
unseeing. The Grail passes out of sight, 
down the road. The hoary ancient rises 
from his knees and takes his harp as if 
he would follow after. The Knight 
awakes from his sleep, sits up and beats 
131 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

his breast, as if he made a lamentation. 
But the words of the lamentation come 
from the lips of John o } Dreams, who 
has lifted his head and his arms, and 
speaks, from his knees, to Mother 
Eglantine.] 

John o' Dreams: Mea culpa! My sin hath 
found me out. Pride ! Who so proud as 
the peasant? Or who so proud as the 
common man working with his hands ? I 
am he ! — I said, Christ gave me the secret 
to save the world. I am the only one. I 
alone! — I said, the glory shall be mine. 
Lo, I will enslave my brother ! — For why ? 
— Did not my brother hold me in bond- 
age ? — Pride ! — Pride ! — I have sinned 
against fellowship. I have sinned against 
love. Christ have mercy ! 

Mother Eglantine: Lord have mercy! 

John o' Dreams [beating his breast] : Mea 

culpa! My sin hath found me out! — 

Wrath ! I said, I am trodden under foot 

of the rich. I starve; body and soul! 

132 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Rise up, rise up, and slay the oppressor, O 
Hungry and Downtrodden and Scorned! 
And in my heart I slew him — Wrath! — 
Wrath ! — I have sinned against fellowship. 
I have sinned against love. Christ have 
mercy ! 

Mother Eglantine: Lord have mercy! 

John o' Dreams: Wrath! — I said to my op- 
pressor, if I envy, whose fault? — If I 
covet, whose fault? — If I am greedy, 
whose fault? — If I am dull and slothful, 
whose fault? — Who has kept me hungry 
and naked and stupid, O my oppressor ? — 
And I was angry with my brother. 
Wrath ! — Red wrath ! Mea culpa ! I have 
sinned against fellowship! I have sinned 
against fellowship ! I have sinned against 
love ! Christ have mercy ! 

Mother Eglantine : Lord have mercy ! 

John o' Dreams: Mea culpa! [He beats his 
breast.] Lust! He that betrayeth the be- 
loved, betrayeth his very self. I made a 
a boast to set the world free, but I have 

i33 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

dishonored liberty. O blind, destroying 
lust! — I have sinned against fellowship! 
I have sinned against love. Mea culpa! 
Lord have mercy! 

Mother Eglantine : Christ have mercy ! 

John o' Dreams: Fellowship! Fellowship! 
O my dream, I have sinned against thee! 
Christ have mercy! 

Mother Eglantine : Lord have mercy ! 

John o' Dreams: "My sin and my wickedness 
have brought me unto great dishonor. For 
when I sought worldly adventures for 
worldly desires, I ever achieved them and 
had the better in every place, and never 
was I discomfit in no quarrel, were it right 
or wrong. And now I take upon me the 
adventures of holy things, and now I see 
and understand that mine old sin hinder- 
eth me and shameth me, so that I had no 
power to stir nor speak when the holy 
blood appeareth before me." 

Conrad [excited]: The words of the book! 
See! — I tell you, he is seeing a vision of 

J 34 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

the Grail out of the old Romance. "And 
now I take upon me the adventures of 
holy things'' 

Felelolie : I tell you, he is confessing his sins. 
Clarimonde: Then ought we to listen? 

Conrad: Hark! 

[And now the old man with the harp 
seems to be admonishing the Knight, by 
the Cross. But the admonition comes 
from the lips of Mother Eglantine."] 

Mother Eglantine [to John o' Dreams'] : 
"Ye ought to thank God — for He hath 
caused you to have more worldly worship 
than any Knight that now liveth. And for 
your presumption to take upon you in 
deadly sin for to be in His presence, where 
His flesh and His blood was, that caused 
you ye might not see it with worldly eyes ; 
for He will not appear where such sinners 
be, but if it be unto their great hurt and 
unto their great shame; and there is no 
knight living now that ought to give God 
i3S 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

so great thank as ye, for He hath given 
you beauty, seemliness, and great strength 
above all other; and therefore ye are the 
more beholding unto God than any other 
man, to love Him and dread Him, for 
your strength and manhood will little avail 
you an God be against you." 

John o' Dreams: "I pray you counsel me." 

Mother Eglantine: "Now take heed, in all 
the world men shall not find one — to 
whom Our Lord hath given so much of 
grace as He hath given you, for He hath 
given you fairness with seemliness, He 
hath given thee wit, discretion to know 
good from evil, He hath given thee prow- 
ess and hardiness, — and now Our Lord 
will suffer thee no longer, but that thou 
shalt know Him whether thou wilt or 
nylt." 

John o' Dreams: "Certes, all that you have 
said is true, and from hence forward I 
cast me, by the grace of God, never to be 
so wicked as I have been." 
136 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

[The old man with the harp makes the 
sign of the cross upon the brow of the 
Knight, and at the same time Mother 
Eglantine makes the sign of the cross 
upon the brow of John o' Dreams. The 
old man goes dozvn the road playing his 
harp. The Knight takes up his shield 
and follozvs after.] 

John o' Dreams [chanting on his knees] : 
And ever the land of Logres 
Lies wasting and accurst, 
Till one shall bring again the cup 
To quench a Kingdom's thirst, — 
The cup Christ tasted first. 

Mother Eglantine [passing her hand over 
her eyes and gazing about her in bewilder- 
ment] : A right judgment, — a right judg- 
ment in all things, O God! [Abruptly] 
John o' Dreams! 

John o' Dreams [rising from his knees and 
rubbing his eyes] : Yes, Mother Eglan- 
tine. 

i37 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Mother Eglantine: Go you into town and 
bring me Master Valentine and Master 
Humphrey and Master Theobald and 

John o' Dreams : They'll never come at my 
bidding. 

Mother Eglantine [musing] : Likely not. — 
Have you no friends, John? 

John o' Dreams: Conrad, of the University, 
is half-way my friend, some days. 

Conrad [hurrying round the corner of the 
house, followed by Clarimonde and Felelo- 
lie, and speaking zvith gay impudence] : 
This is one of my friendly days; let me 
bring them, Mother Eglantine; I think 
they'll come for me. 

Mother Eglantine: What do you know 
about it, Conrad? 

Conrad [slightly abashed] : I was listening. 

Mother Eglantine [regarding him humor- 
ously] : The observer ! I hope you were 
edified. 

138 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Conrad [hanging his head] : No ; only puzzled. 

Mother Eglantine : Bring them here to me, 
and let us see if we can clear up the puzzle. 
And Clarimonde will go up to the manor 
house and bring her father. You, Felelolie, 
run to the parsonage and bid Parson come 
— at the third hour. [She draws the cur- 
tain across her window.] 

John o' Dreams [eagerly] : Did you see the 
Knight asleep at the Cross, Conrad ? — Did 
you see the old man singing the song of 
the Grail to his harp? — Did you see — the 
Grail — pass by? 

Clarimonde [in eager awe] : Did — the Grail 
— pass by? 

Conrad: We saw the road, and the wayside 
Cross yonder, and the wild flowers in the 
meadow, and the spring sunshine. But 
no one passed by on the road. 

Clarimonde: We heard you and Mother 
Eglantine saying the words out of the 

Book of the Grail 

i39 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

John o' Dreams: Mother Eglantine and I said 
nothing. 

Conrad [opening the book] : "And now Our 
Lord will suffer thee no longer, but that 
thou shalt know Him whether thou wilt 
or nylt." 

John o' Dreams: It was not Mother Eglan- 
tine, it was the old white hermit with the 
harp. 

Conrad: And you said [reading,] "Certes, all 
that you have said is true, and from hence- 
forward I cast me, by the grace of God, 
never to be so wicked as I have been." 

John o' Dreams: How could you hear me 
say them ? It was the Knight by the Cross 
who said them. I saw him. I heard Him. 

Conrad: But you were kneeling with your 
back to the road, John. 

John o' Dreams: I saw him. I heard him. 
[He pauses, musing.] But it is true, I 
said them, too — in my heart. — "My sin 
and my wickedness have brought me unto 

140 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

great dishonor," — who said that? — Did 

he?— Did I? Pride— Wrath— Lust— 

mea culpa. — Who was confessing my sins ? 
"So that I had no power to stir nor speak 
when the holy blood appeared before me." 
Did I say it ? 

Clarimonde: And you saw — the Grail? 

John o' Dreams: I must not speak of that. 

[He covers his eyes with his arms.] 

[They gaze at him, hushed, for a little 
space; then, without further speech, 
Conrad goes down the road toward the 
town, with head bent in deep thought, 
and Clarimonde goes up the hill slowly, 
looking back once or twice.] 

Felelolie [touching his elbow, timidly] : 
John, — it wasn't nice of us, — but we heard 
you repenting of your sins. 

John o' Dreams [uncovering his face and 
looking at her with slow smile] : And who 
should have a better right than you, to 
hear me repent of my sins ? 
141 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Felelolie [hurriedly] : I must go for Parson. 

[She runs dozvn the road, looks back, and 
he kisses his hand to her. She waves. 
John o' Dreams sits down on the top 
step of the Cross with his head leaning 
against the upright beam and his hands 
clasped around one kneeJ\ 

John o' Dreams: 

And haply Galahad saw it, 
And haply Percivale, 
But still there be that hold that quest 
To seek the Holy Grail ; 
And still there be that fail. 

And still there be that fail. — Oh, John, — 
John o' Dreams, and you only a common 
workingman with a simple heart! If the 
gentry can't do it, what chance for you? 

And ever the land of Logres 
Lies wasting and accurst, 
Till one shall bring again the cup 
To quench a Kingdom's thirst, — 
The cup Christ tasted first. 
142 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

[A! sick world! And when I say drink and 
be healed, it doesn't understand. But who 
am I, to expect it to understand? Who 
am I, to dare to offer a sick world the cup 
of sacrifice? I am not worthy to be the 
cup-bearer. 

[He muses, his chin in his hand, silently 
for a little space. Presently, he speaks 
again.'] 

But it must drink; — how shall I make it 
understand ? 

[He kneels on the top step of the Cross, 
with his clasped hands above his head, 
and his forehead pressed against the up- 
right beam of the Cross.] 

"God, who art Giver of all good gifts and 
Lover of Concord, 

"Kindle my lips with the live bright coal 
from the hands of the Seraph." 

Give me the voice of humility, give me the 
word of imagination, give me the tongue 
of love. Give me the gift of understand- 
ing all men, that I may be understood of 
all men. For His sake who came that we 

*43 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

might have life, and that we might have it 
more abundantly. Amen. 

[He sits again on the steps of the Cross, 
his hands clasped around his knee, his 
head leaning against the upright beam. 
He meditates silently, for a brief while; 
then he says:] 

If Parson would only meet me half way. — 
If Mother Eglantine would but persuade 
him. 

[Clarimonde and Sir Randal are seen 
coming down the hill. Sir Randal is a 
courtly gentleman of middle age, in a 
dark brown velvet short gown with 
hanging sleeves, fur trimmed; his long 
stockings and boots are tawny orange 
color. His voice is raised in dudgeon.] 

Sir Randal: The first Randal had this land 
from William the Conqueror. The record 
is in Domesday Book. It's my land. 

Clarimonde: Mother Eglantine says, "The 
earth is the Lord's, and all that therein is ; 
144 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

the compass of the world, and they that 
dwell therein." 

Sir Randal: Don't quote Scripture at me, 
young woman. Mother Eglantine would 
soon find out who owned the land, if I 
shut up the anchorage and sent her pack- 
ing. But she's a sensible woman; she 
knows which side her bread's buttered on. 

Clarimonde : She doesn't eat butter. 

Sir Randal [glaring at his daughter, and then 
laughing helplessly] : It's plain that you 
do, — little slippery tongue! If I did my 
duty by you, I'd shut you up on bread and 
water, for a month. [He pauses at the 
bench on the hillside.] We'll sit here till 
the others gather. I don't care to bandy 
words with yonder fellow. 

Clarimonde: But how will you ever under- 
stand what he's driving at, father, if you'll 
never talk with him, man to man ? 

Sir Randal [testily] : I'm not interested in 
what he's driving at. 

i45 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Clari monde [wistfully] : But I am. 

Sir Randal [moodily] : This comes of trying 
to cram a boy's schooling into a girl's 
noddle. This comes of tutoring and lan- 
guages. I'll send the tutor packing, next. 

Clarimonde [gently] : Then I'll go with him, 
father. 

Sir Randal [regarding her without surprise, 
but- with bitter grief] : And break your 
father's loving heart? 

Clarimonde : You'd have the land, father. 
[He turns his face away from her and 
stares out through the trees. Presently, 
he draws a large handkerchief from his 
pouch and blozvs his nose. Clarimonde 
sidles to him, along the bench, and pits 
her arm round his neck. And so they 
sit, but with averted faces. Voices are 
heard, coming down the road. John o' 
Dreams gets to his feet, crosses the road, 
and kneels beside the brazier, by the 
bench, stirring the coals and blowing 
upon them.] 

146 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

The Voice of Conrad: No; I saw nothing 
myself, but Mother Eglantine and John 
were both rapt, in the spirit. Mother 
Eglantine was chanting of the Grail. 

Voices: The Grail! 

[Conrad, Master Theobald, Master Hum- 
phrey, and Master Valentine come 
along the road. Master Humphrey has 
Conrad by the right arm; he wears a 
rich gray green gown, girded with a 
sash of striped Roman silk. Master 
Valentine has Conrad by the left arm; 
he wears a rich gown and hose of the 
colors of heliotrope and amethyst, zvith 
a Flemish beaver hat of those same 
colors and gray boots of fine leather; his 
garments are edged with gray fur. 
Clinging to his other arm is Master 
Theobald, in a dull blue gown and hose, 
and his long sleeves lined with taffeta, 
striped blue and black. They are all 
three men of middle age, and a sober 
and prosperous port.] 
i47 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Master Valentine: Do you think it was the 
Grail they saw? 

Conrad: I didn't see it. 

Master Humphrey [slily] : Fm told it only 
appears to the pure in heart. 

Master Valentine: Why should that fellow 
see it, then ? 

Master Theobald: May be the Devil's in it. 
[They pause by the Cross.] 

Conrad : But Mother Eglantine saw it, too. 

Master Theobald [sitting down on the steps 
of the Cross] : These hermits and recluses 
are sometimes easier deceived by the Devil 
than us ordinary folk. It's a part of their 
guilelessness. 

Master Humphrey [sitting down beside him 
on the steps of the Cross and poking him 
in the ribs] : Skeptic ! 

Master Valentine [sitting down heavily] : 
If she's brought me here to wheedle me 
148 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

into turning my shop over to that young 
windbag, I'm certain sure the Devil's in it. 

[The others laugh. John is still busy with 
the brazier. The Parson and Felelolie 
come hurrying along the road. The 
Parson wears his cassock and shovel 
hat.] 

Father Martin [to Felelolie]: My child, 
these are not affairs on which a priest and 
parson can expect to have an opinion. 
These are affairs of buying and selling, 
affairs of food and clothes and drink and 
housing. A parson's realm is the human 
soul. 

Master Valentine [clapping his hands] : 
Hear ! Hear ! You were always one after 
my own heart, Father Martin. [He makes 
room for the Parson on the step beside 
him.] 

Felelolie [standing in the road and regarding 
the group on the steps of the Cross with 
disapproval] : Mother Eglantine read to 
149 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

me out of the Gospels, where Jesus said, 
"How hardly shall they that have riches 
enter into the Kingdom of God! For it 
is easier for a camel to go through a 
needle's eye than for a rich man to enter 
the Kingdom of God." [Conrad, zvho is 
also standing in the road, gazing at the 
group beneath the Cross, laughs suddenly, 
and Felelolie continues.'] That looks as 
if buying and selling, and food and drink 
and clothes and houses had something to 
do with souls. 

Master Valentine [shaking his finger at 
Felelolie'] : Mother Eglantine would do 
better to box your ears instead of filling 
them with words too wise for you to 
understand. 

Master Theobald: The girl is bilious. It's 
the spring in her blood. 

John o' Dreams [suddenly calling out, from 
where he kneels beside the brazier] : Yes; 
it's the spring in our blood ; it's the resur- 
rection tide. Mother Eglantine says it is 

150 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

written in the Scriptures, "Behold, I make 
all things new." The spring is in our 
blood, mine and Felelolie's. 

Conrad : And mine, — I hope. 

Clari mondE [calling from the hillside, down 
which she and her father are winding] : 
And mine! — And mine! 

[Mother Eglantine begins to sing, behind 
her windozv curtain. Felelolie hurries 
over to the windozv. John o' Dreams 
climbs upon the bench and unhooks the 
censer. He hands it to Felelolie, who 
selects the reddest coals from the bra- 
zier and drops them into the censer with 
the tongs. She hands the censer up 
to John o' Dreams, who hangs it in 
the dove's beak. Felelolie opens her 
pocket and takes out a squill of incense. 
She hands this to John, who untwists 
it and sprinkles the incense into the cen- 
ser. Meanwhile, Mother Eglantine, 
always singing, has pushed aside her 
curtain.] 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Mother Eglantine: 

When Christ our Lord had passed once more 
Into the heaven he left before, 
He sent a Comforter below, 
The Father's promise to bestow. 

The solemn time was soon to fall 
Which told the number mystical; 
For since the Resurrection day, 
A week of weeks had passed away. 

At the third hour a rushing noise 
Came like the tempest's sudden voice, 
And mingled with the Apostles' prayer, 
Proclaiming loud that God was there. 

From out the Father's light it came, 
That beautiful and kindly flame, 
To kindle every Christian heart, 
And fervour of the Word impart. 

John o' Dreams and Felelolie [singing 
with Mother Eglantine'] : 
As then, O Lord, thou didst fulfil, 
Each holy heart to do thy will, 
So now do thou our sins forgive 
And make the world in peace to live. 

152 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Conrad and Clarimonde [singing with the 
other three] : 
To God the Father, God the Son, 
And God the Spirit; praise be done; 
May Christ the Lord upon us pour 
The Spirit's gift forevermore. Amen. 

[When the Amen is sung, they all hurry 
toward Mother Eglantine's window. 
Conrad, Parson, the merchant, the 
lawyer, the doctor, cross the road, run- 
ning; Clarimonde and Sir Randal come 
swiftly round the corner of the garden; 
Felelolie and John o' Dreams turn to 
the anchoress eager hands and faces. 
The hands and faces of all are uplifted, 
and every mouth is opened as if hasting 
to speak.] 

Mother Eglantine [lifting a warning arm] : 
It is the third Hour. The Spirit of the 
Lord filleth the world. Alleluia! O un- 
ruly tongues, beware lest ye speak that 
which is displeasing to the Holy Ghost! 
O unloving hearts, hush! — Be still! 
[They are arrested, suddenly, even as they 
i53 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

run. And so they stand, dumb, with 
arms uplifted and heads upflung. And 
awe creeps into their faces, and terror 
into their eyes, and one by one they 
sink to their knees and bozv their heads 
in their hands. Felelolie and John o' 
Dreams are kneeling facing each other, 
one at each end of the bench under the 
window; Conrad and Clarimonde are 
kneeling side by side, their heads bent 
on the bench immediately below Mother 
Eglantine. The others kneel on the 
grass behind those four, and the faces 
of all are turned away from the road. 
The seven Knights of the Spirit ride 
by, at a solemn pace. Mother Eglan- 
tine stands at the window, with hands 
clasped as if in prayer. After the seven 
Knights, the Court of King Arthur 
walks, afoot, with pages to hold up the 
mantles of the King and Queen, and a 
sufficient number of Knights and ladies. 
The Court of King Arthur pauses 
beside the Cross. The sick man on his 
litter is borne along the road, and a fair 
i54 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

lady walks beside the litter, with a long 
fan to ease the breathing of the sick 
man, and pages bear his shield and 
sword. The bearers set down the litter 
at the foot of the Cross, in the midst 
of the Court of King Arthur. And 
now, in dumb show, the fair lady kneels 
to King Arthur, asking that he search 
the wounds of the sick Knight, to heal 
him. And King Arthur essays to heal 
the sick Knight, but without avail. 
And one by one, other knights search 
the seven wounds of the sick Knight, 
but without avail. And all this is a 
vision in dumb show, but as one knight 
and another fail to heal the sick Knight, 
the voices, novo of the merchant, now 
of the lazvyer, now of the doctor, are 
heard to cry aloud, Mea Culpa! Mea 
Culpa ! And each one as he cries aloud 
is seen to beat his breast. And the 
voice of Parson cries, like an echo, 
after each one, Mea Culpa! And 
Parson is seen to cast himself prostrate 
upon the ground. Then, when the 
i55 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Knights of the vision have failed, Con- 
rad arises from his knees like a sleep- 
walker and turns about and crosses the 
road, and Clarimonde following; and 
Conrad stands in the midst of the 
vision of Arthur's Court and essays to 
heal the sick man, but Conrad's arms 
are heavy at his side, he cannot lift 
them to touch the sick man. And 
standing still as an image in the midst 
of the vision he cries, Mea Culpa ! Mea 
Culpa! But he cannot lift his arms to 
beat his breast. And Clarimonde stands 
beside him. Then John o' Dreams leaps 
up from his knees, with rapt face and 
visionary eyes, and runs down to the 
road, and with him Felelolie. And 
John o' Dreams, also as one that walks 
in his sleep, halts in the middle of the 
road, and standing with face uplifted 
to heaven and eyes fixed, cries out 
aloud.] 

John o' Dreams: I know the way! — I know 
the way! — But of myself I am nothing. 
156 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Oh, brothers, brothers, help me, for 
Christ's sake! 

[The procession of the Grail comes down 
the road. Parson rises up from 
the grass where he has lain prostrate, 
and gropes his way like a blind man 
to the road. The Grail bearer comes 
to Parson, lifts the chalice-veil and 
places the cup in Parson's groping 
hands. John o } Dreams and Felelolie 
kneel at his feet and pluck at his cas- 
sock. He holds out the cup and they 
drink, in turn. John o y Dreams and 
Felelolie rise from their knees, and one 
on the one side of Parson, another 
on the other side, they guide him into 
the midst of the vision by the Cross. 
The Court of King Arthur, and Con- 
rad and Clarimonde are as images be- 
spelled, awaiting the approach of Par- 
son with the cup. The procession of 
the Grail waits, on the road. John o' 
Dreams and Felelolie bring Parson 
to the litter. John puts his hand on 
i57 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

the sick num. Then, on a sudden, all 
the Knights of the Court and King 
Arthur start forward and lay hands, all 
of them, and Conrad, on the sick man, 
and they lift him off the litter and 
stand him upright on his feet, and lower 
him to his knees. Parson gives 
him to drink of the cup. The Grail 
Bearer now comes from the procession, 
takes the cup from Parson, and 
goes back to the procession, which still 
stands in the road. John o' Dreams 
and the others lift the sick man to his 
feet. Felelolie girds on his sword, 
Clarimonde gives him his shield. The 
Grail procession moves down the road 
followed by the healed Knight and his 
lady, King Arthur and his Court, and 
the empty litter borne by the litter 
bearers. 

Mother Eglantine [chanting, as the vision 
vanishes down the road] : 

And ever the land of Logres 
Lies wasting and accurst, 
158 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Till one shall bring again the cup 
To quench a Kingdom's thirst, — 
The cup Christ tasted first. 

"A thing," they said, "that appeareth, 
The same, and not the same ; 
A little child, the Crucified — 
A chalice crowned with flame — 
The Grail," they said, "is its name. ,, 

It came from out of the twilight 
Or ever dawned the day ; 
It changeth oft, it vanisheth, 
It passeth not away — 
Nor never shall, we pray. 

It lureth the valiant onward, 
"Who knoweth Me, is blest" 
Lay down, lay down thy darling sin, 
And set thy lance in rest: 
The Quest, brother, the Quest ! 

[Conrad, Clarimonde, FeleloHe, John o' 
Dreams, and Parson, are left stand- 
ing like creatures in a dream, facing 
the wayside cross. Master Valentine, 
Master Humphrey, Master Theobald, 

i59 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

and Sir Randal, kneel, as always, with 
their faces toward Mother Eglantine. 
The procession has vanished. Those 
by the Cross turn slowly and gaze upon 
one another. Those by the anchorage 
rise stiffly from their knees and gaze 
upon one another. Mother Eglantine 
passes her hand slowly across her eyes. 
All the others, by the Cross and by the 
anchorage, pass their hands slowly 
across their eyes.] 

Mother Eglantine: It is the Third Hour. 
The Spirit of the Lord fllleth the world. 
Alleluia ! Let us speak now, as the Spirit 
shall give us utterance. Let us say the 
words that shall be understood of every 
nation under heaven. 

All [crying aloud and beating their breasts] : 
My fault, my fault, my own most grievous 
fault ! — My sin hath found me out. I have 
hated my brother, — Woe ! Woe ! — I have 
forgotten my God. — Lord have mercy! 
— Christ have mercy! 
160 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

[They all look upon one another curi- 
ously, with troubled eyes. Then, one 
by one, they speak.~\ 

Master Valentine [suddenly, to no one in 
particular, his eyes fixed on the distance, 
his voice passionate and brooding] : I be- 
held my Conscience, face to face. I saw 
myself as I am. 

Mother Eglantine [gently] : Not as you 
are, Master Valentine ; as you were. 

Master Valentine [hesitating] : As I was? 
— God grant it! — I saw myself as I was. 
I dreamed that my name was Dives, and 
I was giving a feast. And there was a 
beggar at the gate, full of sores ; his name 
was Lazarus. [He makes a gesture of 
despair] You know the story, — Dives! 
[He covers his face with his hands and 
falls on his knees.] O Christ, give me a 
new name! 

Master Humphrey: My dream came down 
the road, yonder. [He points. Those by 
the Cross move across the road slowly, 
161 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

listening to Master Humphrey. ] I 
dreamed of a traveler who fell among 
thieves. I saw him beaten and stripped. 
I saw the priest go by. I saw the Levite 
go by. I saw the Samaritan 

Conrad [in a hushed voice] : Who were you? 

Master Humphrey [hanging his head] : A 
certain lawyer. I had asked the law's 
eternal question — Who is my neighbor? 
— I know now. [He stands with head 
drooped on his breast.] 

Master Theobald : I dreamed the world was 
sick, here, — at the foot of the hill. I 
dreamed the sick world was a sick boy 
fallen in a fit. And I was sure I could 
cure him, — but I couldn't. He frothed 
and foamed at the mouth, — he shrieked 
and struggled and fell upon the ground. 
He was the world, and he was sick. And 
I was helpless. And someone came down 
the hill, and the crowd got in my way. 
I couldn't see. But I heard someone say 
"This kind can come forth by nothing, 
162 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

but by prayer and fasting." [He sinks 
to his knees] Lord, teach me to pray. 

Sir Randal: I, too, dreamed of a feast. It 
was not my feast ; I was bidden to it. And 
I went in and sat down beside the Master 
of the feast, for I looked, and I was the 
only man of rank there. And the Master 
of the feast asked me to move down. And 
he set John o' Dreams and Felelolie on 
his left and his right hand. And I was 
below the salt. 

Clarimonde [softly] : But I was beside you, 
father ; I know I must have been. 

Conrad: And I. 

Sir Randal: It was so mortifying. [He 
covers his face with his hands.] Not 
being asked to move, — but that I should 
have presumed to sit in the chief seat. So 
very mortifying. 

Clarimonde [tenderly] : One does those 
things in dreams. But now we are awake, 
Father; we sha'n't do them when we are 
awake. 

163 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Sir Randal [wistfully] : You think not? 

Conrad: I, too, saw a vision of a sick world, 
but mine was not the dream of Master 
Theobald. I saw a vision of the healing 
of Sir Urre, out of my French book, here, 
[He opens his book.] I saw the sick 
Knight and his sister come to Arthur's 
Court 

Clarimonde : Oh Conrad, Conrad, your vision 
and mine are one ! I saw the sick Knight. 
I saw Arthur's Court! 

Conrad: Your vision and mine are one; yes, 
sweetheart. 

Clarimonde [eagerly] : And the Knights 
searched the wounds of the sick world, 
but they could not heal him, and then 

Conrad: And then I crossed the road, — did 
you see me? 

Clarimonde [hanging her head] : Yes. 

Conrad: Tell them. 

Clarimonde [wistfully]: Need we? 
164 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

Conrad: I must. 

Clarimonde [sadly] : And Conrad could not 
heal the sick world. 

Conrad [scorning himself] : I could not even 
lift these arms, I could not even move 
these fingers to search his wounds. I, who 
had been the onlooker so long; — in my 
vision I was even as the sick Knignt, I 
was helpless. 

Felelolie : But John came into the vision. 

Clarimonde [wondering] : Was it your 
vision, too? 

Conrad : It was John who 

John o' Dreams [hurriedly] : Not I alone; it 
was all of us together. I could have done 
nothing by myself; it was all of us to- 
gether who did it. It was really Parson 
who 

Mother Eglantine [calling]: Father Mar- 
tin, Father Martin, tell us your dream ! 

Parson : I had no dream, I saw no vision. 
165 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 



John o' Dreams: But I, — but you ? 

Parson: Darkness — and then — the voice of 
my Saviour and my God, crying, "The 
Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he 
hath appointed me to preach the gospel to 
the poor; — to preach the gospel to the 
poor; — to the poor; — the poor/' [He 
falls on his knees and beats his breast.] 
Father, I have sinned against heaven and 
before thee, and am no more worthy to be 
called thy son. 

Mother Eglantine : "As many as are led by 
the Spirit of God, — they are the sons of 
God. Alleluia!" 

Felelolie: Mother Eglantine, tell us what 
you saw. 

Mother Eglantine: Children, I saw a world 
repentant. I saw the proud forsaking the 
imagination of their hearts; I saw the 
mighty exalting the humble and the meek ; 
I saw the rich filling the hungry with their 
good things. I saw the Kingdom come on 
earth. 

166 



SOUL'S MEDICINE 

John o' Dreams, Felelolie, Conrad, Clari- 
monde, Mother Eglantine [all as with 
one voice crying out together} : 

Lay down, lay down thy darling sin 
And set thy lance in rest: 

The Quest, brother, the Quest! 

All [singing, while Felelolie and John o' 
Dreams, with coals and incense, once more 
light the censer] : 

"As then, O Lord, thou didst fulfil 
Each holy heart to do thy will, 
So now do thou our sins forgive 
And make the world in peace to live. 
To God the Father, God the Son, 

And God the Spirit, praise be done; 
May Christ the Lord upon us pour 
The Spirit's gift forever more. Amen." 



167 



IV 

Santa Conversazione 

An All Saints Miracle 



These through the darkness of death, 

the dominion of night, 
Swept, and they woke in white places 

at morning-tide; 
They saw with their eyes, and sang for 

joy of the sight, 
They saw with their eyes the eyes of 

the Crucified. 

Lionel Johnson. 



Those Present 

In the Flesh: 

A Wounded American Soldier 

An English Officer 

A German Prisoner 

A Poilu 

A Belgian Child 

In the Spirit: 

Jeanne d'Arc 

St. Francis of Assisi 

St. George of England 

St. Elizabeth of Hungary and Thuringia 

Tolstoy 

The Tihe: 

The Festival of All Saints, which is the Vigil 
of All Souls, ip 1 7. During a bombardment. 

The Place: 

Inside a ruined village church, somewhere 
in France. There are no candles in the little 
171 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

church, but through the empty windows, and 
through the ragged holes in the roof, light 
comes, — the sudden bright pulse of star-shells, 
the red burst of intermittent ?fs, the climbing 
radiance of the hunter's moon, — light enough 
to reveal the heaped up fragments of stone 
saints within the riven chancel rail, the shat- 
tered altar 'where the bomb fell, the great cruci- 
fix untouched on the altar wall. Light enough 
to waken sparkles of splintered fourteenth 
century glass all over the littered floor, to touch 
to phantom gold the bloody truss of straw 
below the cracked baptismal font. Light is 
shining through St. Elisabeth's filmy, splendid, 
pale blue mantle, where she crouches huddled 
on the altar steps, all her pearl embroideries 
a-wink; and the moon has found the sleepy 
yellow head of the little Belgian girl, and 
Tolstoy's drifting beard. There are three high 
zvindows and two long niches in the north wall, 
a zvindow and a niche, a window and a niche, 
and a windovo; but the images of the saints 
that used to stand in the niches on gray toes 
kissed all shiny Smooth, are fallen out on their 
poor perishable noses; and Tolstoy, shadowy 
172 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

white in his peasant's blouse, sits brooding in 
the one niche; and in the other the little Belgian 
lies curled round, kitten-fashion. 

The church door was blown to bits yester- 
day, and when St. Francis comes through the 
moonlit doorway, in his habit as he lived, 
moonshine follows his feet, and St. Elizabeth 
brightens, and Tolstoy smiles. At this time 
there is no one else in the little church. 



*73 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

St. Francis [surprised at Tolstoy] : You here? 
I thought you would be in Russia. 

Tolstoy: But you are not in Italy. 

St. Francis: I go back before dawn. But I 
could not bear the thought of all these 
holy places voiceless, on our festa; so a 
group of us got together and pledged our- 
selves to read the Gospel for the Day, in 
the ruined churches. Athanasius, Augus- 
tine, Chrysostom and some of the younger 
ones are covering Poland; and Columba 
and Patrick and Alban asked for the Bel- 
gian district, with the local saints. Francis 
de Sales, Francis Xavier and I offered for 
northern France, under the direction of 
Gregory of Tours. 

Tolstoy: You must have had enough to do, 
not to miss any. 

St. Francis: Yes; in some of these villages 
the people cannot find their church. But 
I could always tell where it had been. 
This is my last. 

i74 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

Tolstoy [grimly] : Next year there may be 
ruined churches in Italy. 

St. Francis [covering his eyes] : Yes ; defeat 
seems to be coming to Italy; for the 
moment. 

St. Elizabeth [gently] : Only for the mo- 
ment. 

St. Francis [still with his face bowed in his 
hands] : Yes ; I know. But it is hard for 
them. All their white peaks lost ! 

St. Elizabeth: For the moment. 

St. Francis [lifting his head to smile at her] : 
I know, sister. I know. 

Tolstoy : Knowing doesn't help — much. 

St. Francis [turning his whimsical smile on 
Tolstoy] : So you ran away from your 
Bolsheviki millennium, even knowing? 

Tolstoy [on the defensive] : Still it would be 
the millennium, if — if 

St. Francis: If the keystone of the rainbow 
were hate. 

175 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

St. Elizabeth: Ah, how to escape that? — 
Hate! 

St. Francis : Not by coming to France, sister. 

St. Elizabeth: They are so hungry in my 
Germany, my Austria, so very hungry. 
And my old miracle is buried in my grave. 
I cannot make bread of roses any more. 

St. Francis [suggestively] : There is always 
the Living Bread. 

St. Elizabeth : Go, you, and try to make them 
eat it. 

St. Francis: They shall be filled, some day. 

St. Elizabeth : I know ; I know. But the 
babies are so weazened. [She puts her 
hands over her ears.] I thought I might 
not hear their little helpless, hungry cries, 
here in the midst of the guns. 

Tolstoy [in a reminding voice] : Babies 
starved before this war. 

St. Elizabeth : I don't get used to it. 
176 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

St. Francis : Blessed are they that mourn. 
[He moves past St. Elisabeth, up the altar 
steps. ,] Shall I read? 

St. Elizabeth : The bomb fell on the Holy 
Book. 

St. Francis [almost gaily] : Since when did 
I need a book ? 

Tolstoy [quoting, with a twinkle'] : "After 
that thou shalt have had the psalter, thou 
wilt be covetous and desire to have a 
breviary also. And after that thou hast 
gotten a breviary, thou wilt sit in a chair 
like a great prelate and wilt say unto thy 
brother, 'Fetch me the breviary !' " 

St. Francis [smiling] : My other Brother Leo 
used to tell that story on me. Shall I 
read? 

[St. Elisabeth and Tolstoy rise to hear 
the Gospel.] 

St. Francis: "The Holy Gospel is written in 
the fifth chapter of the Gospel according 
to St. Matthew, beginning at the first 
verse. ,, 

177 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

St. Elizabeth and Tolstoy: Glory be to thee, 
OLord! 

St. Francis: "Jesus seeing the multitudes, 

went up into a high mountain : and when 

he was set, his disciples came unto him: 

i and he opened his mouth and taught them, 

saying," 

[While St. Francis is reading these words, 
the wounded American Soldier appears 
in the doorway, leaning heavily on the 
Poilu and supported on his other side 
by Jeanne d'Arc. In her silver mail, 
with her white, transparent surcoat all 
embroidered with the golden lilies of 
France, she is a splendid ghost* St. 
Francis pauses, waiting.] 

Poilu: It is here a step. Lift up the foot, 
mon brave. 

American [halted, helpless on the threshold] : 
"The centipede was happy quite" 

Poilu : Mon Dieu ! Now he goes off his nuts. 

American: Not yet, pardner. But they're 
woozy. I've lost the way to my feet. 

178 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

[Jeanne d'Arc lifts his right leg; he sets 
his foot on the step. The Poilu and 
Jeanne, half lifting, half dragging him, 
at last lay him down on the straw below 
the baptismal font. He sinks into un- 
consciousness.'] 

St. Francis [resuming the Gospel'] : "Blessed 
are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the 
Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they 
that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 
Blessed are the meek: for they shall in- 
herit the earth." 

[The Poilu has hastily snatched off his 
cap and crossed himself. Jeanne d'Arc 
stands beside the baptismal font.] 

Poilu [in a startled whisper] : Qu'est ce que 
c'est? Mon Dieu, c'est la fete! Mais oui, 
c'est la Toussaint ! 

St. Francis: "Blessed are they which do 
hunger and thirst after righteousness: for 
they shall be filled." 

American [beginning to come out of his 

swoon] : Thirst 

179 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

[The Poilu pours out a little water from 
his canteen into his cup, and holds the 
cup to the American's lips.] 

St. Francis: "Blessed are the merciful: for 
they shall obtain mercy." 

American: Merci — who's talking? 

St. Francis: "Blessed are the pure in heart: 
for they shall see God."— 

American : See God ? — Who's talking ? 

Poilu: Ssh, sh! It is l'Evangile. How do 
you say? It is the word of Jesus. 

American: Jesus talking? — See God? — Lem 
me have a look? [He begins to turn his 
face toward the altar, then hesitates.] 
Pure in heart? — Guess I won't chance it. 
[He turns his face back again, away from 
the altar, and shuts his eyes.] 

St. Francis: "Blessed are 

[The German prisoner appears in the 
doorway. On one side of him is the 
young English officer, on the other, St. 
1 80 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

George of England, each with a hand on 
his shoulder. Over the golden armor of 
St. George, his golden translucent sur- 
coat gleams magnificent, with its red 
cross embroidered from throat to hem, 
on breast and back.] 

St. Francis: "The Peacemakers" 

American [opening his eyes on the group in 

the doorway]: Peacemakers? 

"And on his breast a bloody cross he bore, 

The dear remembrance of his dying Lord. ,, 

English 34, — what do you know about 

that, Frenchy? I made A in that course. 

[The German prisoner and his guards 

cross the threshold and stand within the 

church at one side of the doorway.] 

St. Francis [repeating] : "Blessed are the 
peacemakers: for they shall be called the 
children of God." 

American: Opening up with prayer? — say — 

have I butted into the Peace Pow Wow? 

[With an effort he lifts his head and 

stares around.] Queer lookin' bunch. — 

181 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Where's Wilson ?— Ungh !— Mother ! [He 
drops back unconscious. Jeanne d'Arc 
kneels down beside him, tending him.] 

St. Francis: "Blessed are the " 



German Prisoner [staring at Jeanne d'Arc] : 
Die Jungfrau von Orleans! Du lieber 
Gott ! [He makes a bolt for the door, but 
St. George is before him in the doorway, 
with arms outspread.] Geisten! Ich bin 
verloren ! 

[The English officer springs on the 
Prisoner, catches him by the collar and 
throws him to his knees at the feet of 
St. George. Together, St. George and 
the English Officer lift the Prisoner, 
stand him on his feet, and push him up 
the church to the chancel rail.] 

Englishman: Sorry to disturb the Service, 
Father, but my orders were to bring him 
in here. 

[The scuffle has awakened the Belgian 
child, who slips out of her niche, rub- 
bing her eyes. Seeing St. Elizabeth be- 
182 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

side the chancel rail, she hurries to her, 
fearfully, and clasps her hand, looking 
up hungrily into her face. St. George, 
the German Prisoner, the English Offi- 
cer, St. Elizabeth, and the Belgian Child, 
stand at the broken chancel rail.] 

St. Francis [to the English Officer] : Take 
your prisoner over by the wall, brother, 
and let him sit down in the niche. 

Englishman: After the reading of the Gos- 
pel, Father. 

St. Francis: He is to sit down now. He is 
all trembling. 

[The English Officer and St. George salute 
St. Francis and march the Prisoner to 
the niche. He sinks into it. The Eng- 
lishman and St. George stand, one on 
each side of the niche.] 

Belgian Child [to St. Elizabeth] : Madame, 
a little piece of bread ? 

St. Francis: "Blessed are the peacemakers: 
for they shall be called the children of 
God." " 

183 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Belgian Child: Madame, I spik Ameri- 
cain, — a little piece of bread? 

St. Francis: "Blessed are they which are 
persecuted for righteousness sake: for 
theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." 

Belgian Child: Madame, on a tue ma mere, 
la bas. Est ce qu'il y a des mots Ameri- 
cains pour dire ca? 

St. Francis : "Blessed are ye, when men shall 
revile you, and persecute you, and shall 
say all manner of evil against you falsely, 
for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding 
glad; for great is your reward in heaven: 
for so persecuted they the prophets which 
were before you." 

[St. Francis kneels in silent prayer before 
the riven altar, below the crucifix.] 

Englishman [to Tolstoy, in a low voice]: I 
beg pardon; who is this Padre? 

Tolstoy: His name is Francis. 

Englishman: He omits the Creed? 
184 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

Tolstoy: If we have the Gospel, is not that 
enough ? 

Englishman: I see; A Union Service. [Re- 
garding Tolstoy doubtfully.] It is true, 
the Creed is implicit in the Gospels. But 
[his eyes are turned to the kneeling St. 
Francis], is it not unusual for a Roman- 
ist to conduct Union Services? 

Tolstoy: Not where he comes from. 

Englishman [always with his eyes on St. 
Francis] : I have understood that they 
wink at certain irregularities in the mis- 
sion field, but [breaking off abruptly], — 
Do you know the fresco of St. Francis 
and the crucified Seraph, in Assisi? [He 
makes a gesture toward the kneeling 
saint] , — Remarkable ! 

Tolstoy: No; quite natural. 

Englishman: You say his name is [He 

turns startled, baffled eyes upon Tolstoy 
and stares at him intently.] 

185 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Belgian Child: Chere Madame, — bread? — 
A little piece? 

[St. Elisabeth leads the little Belgian to 
the niche where the German Prisoner 
is sitting, and stands before him 
silently.] 

Englishman [to Tolstoy, hurriedly] : You, 
too! — I beg pardon, but your face is so 
familiar, sir. Have I met you before? 

Tolstoy: You have been in Russia? 

Englishman : No ; — but — Russia ! — Pardon 
me; the resemblance is so remarkable, but 

Tolstoy is [He turns from Tolstoy 

to St. Francis, and back again to Tol- 
stoy. He looks all around him, slowly, 
his gaze resting now on St. George, now 
on St. Elizabeth, now on the group by the 
font.] 

American [opening his eyes upon Jeanne 
d'Arc] : 

"Her face so fair, as flesh it seemed not" 

186 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

Englishman [moving over to the group by 
the font] : They said there were angels 
at Mons, but I never 

American [to Jeanne] : Some frock, that, for 
a bloody battlefield. [Dreamily], "All in 
a silken Camus, lily white" — How does 
it go? 

"Which all above besprinkled was throughout 
With golden aygulets that glistered bright, 
Like twinkling stars." 

Say, which are you, Belphoebe, Brito- 
mart? 

Jeanne [smiling] : No, no ; I am Jeanne. 

American [slowly] : Jeanne? [Then with a 
sudden shout], Jeanne the Maid! — Gee, 
Maud Adams, how you have changed! — 
That was one on me, wasn't it ? I thought 
you were a Spenserian stanza, and you're 
the real thing; you're it! Golly! but I'm 
the happy warrior — Don't — fade out — 
quite — yet ! [ He fain ts again. ] 

Belgian Child: Bread, Madame! 

187 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

St. Elizabeth [to the German Prisoner}: 
Oh, my son, feel in your pockets. Have 
you nothing for this child? 

[The German Prisoner puts his hand re- 
luctantly into his trousers pocket and 
brings out a small hunk of black bread. 
He holds the bread against his breast, 
a moment, staring defiantly at St. Eliza- 
beth, then slowly stretches out his hand 
to the little Belgian, with the bread 
lying on his open palm.] 

Belgian Child [hesitating, putting out her 
own hand, drazving it back, and looking 
up into St. Elizabeth's face] : Madame, 
j'ai peur qu'il a faim aussi, ce bon mon- 
sieur. 

German: Ach, Gott! [Tears stream down 
his dirty, swollen face. He puts out his 
other hand and draws the child between 
his knees. He holds the bread to her lips 
and she bites off a morsel, and then her 
little hand guides his great hand to his 
mouth. He pretends to nibble, and in turn 
188 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

puts the bread to her lips. They smite 
at each other and at St. Elizabeth.'] 

Englishman [speaking to the Poilw, who is 
fanning the American] : Is the philan- 
thropic lady in the blue cloak a — that is, 
is she — Who is she? 

Poilu: I do not know, mon lieutenant She 
is perhaps of that band of ladies from 
America called Smitt Unitt, who bring 
joy and food to the devastated villages. 

Jeanne [taking the American's head in her 
lap] : She is my sister Elizabeth, of Hun- 
gary and Thuringia. 

Englishman : The one who told the lie about 
the bread and roses? 

Jeanne [smiling] : The way you put it ! How 
you are English! 

Englishman [looking about him, puzzled, 
musing] : What would Sir Oliver Lodge 
make of all this, I wonder? [To the 
Poilu], Do you see the one in the Red 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Cross, mon vieux? That is St. George 
of England. 

Poilu: Quel type! 

Englishman: And you, what do you make 
of it all? 

Poilu: Of eet all? 

Englishman: Yes; of St. George,— ^of 
Jeanne d'Arc? Did you ever hear of Tol- 
stoy? And yonder friar, rising from his 
knees, is Francis of Assisi, or I miss my 
guess, — thirteenth century Saint. And 
you, and me? What do you make of 
us all? 

Poilu f with a shrug and a quizzical smile] : 
Mais, mon lieutenant, c'est la guerre ; que 
voulez vous? 

[St. Francis has risen from his knees and 
joined St. Elizabeth, who, with Tol- 
stoy, is watching the German Prisoner 
feed the Belgian Child.] 

St. Francis: Bravo, cara sorellina mia! This 
is better than making bread out of roses. 
190 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

Poilu: Roses! Ah, qa! Je m'en souviens. 
And also their saints are liars, mon lieu- 
tenant. Oh, la, la! Cest drole! 

St. Francis [looking over his shoulder at the 
Poilu] : Are we not all liars, more or less, 
brother ? 

Jeanne [to the Poilu] : I lied. When the 
English tortured me, I lied. 

Tolstoy: I lied to myself. All my life I lived 
a lie, afraid to obey my conscience. 

Poilu [with Gallic malice] : Mais Mademoi- 
selle; mais Monsieur; to admit to the 
enemy that one makes a faux pas,— ce 
n'est pas la guerre. 

St. Francis: Fratello mio, on the battle fields 
where we fight, that is the first step to 
victory. 

Jeanne [to the Poilu] : But how am I the 
enemy of Madame Elizabeth, if we fight 
on the same side? 

Poilu [amazed and disconcerted] : Comment ! 
191 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

St. George: We are all on the one side, we 
of our communion. 

Englishman: Our side. 

St. George: God's side. 

Englishman: And is that not our side? 

St. George: If you are of our communion, 
you will know. 

Englishman [hotly] : I do know. 

German Prisoner [heavily, to St. Francis]: 
The first step to victory, to say you did 
wrong? Tell that to Ludendorf, to Hin- 
denburg. Tell it to our Kaiser. 

St. Francis: I have their ear. And not I 
only. We have a committee of perpetual 
adjuration, whispering, whispering to 
them, Tirpitz — the Crown Prince, — the 
Chancellor — night and day. 

German: Aber, they listen, nicht. 

St. Francis [speaking over his shoulder to 
the German Prisoner, but moving toward 
192 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

the baptismal font] : They do not listen, 
yet; but they hear. [He bends over the 
American Soldier] : If you are coming 
my way, brother, I'll wait for you. 

American [opening his eyes upon St. Fran- 
cis, and declaiming in a clear voice] : 

"Tyrants that make men subject to their law, 

I will suppress, that they no more may reign ; 

And lordings curb that commons over-awe. 

And all the wealth of rich men to the poor 

will draw." 

Hot stuff, what! I talk it to myself in 
the trench when I'm on sentry go. — Were 
you saying something? 

German [calling from his niche to St. 
Francis] : Then, if they will win, they 
got to say it too, the English. They got 
to say they did wrong. 

Englishman: Wrong to keep our word to 
Belgium? Never! 

Tolstoy [from his niche, to the Englishman] : 
He's not talking about Belgium. The war 

193 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

didn't begin with Belgium, nor with 
Serbia. Don't cloud the issue, brother; 
you who never break faith ! 

American [who has been hunting his head 
feebly, to try to see the speakers'] : Peace 
Pow Wow ; I remember. Blessed are the 
peacemakers. 

Englishman [rounding upon Tolstoy] : It is 
you Russians who cloud the issue, trying 
to make this a question of our mistakes — 
sins, if you like — in Egypt, in South 
Africa, in India. Does France make it a 
grievance, now, that we burned her Joan 
of Arc in the fifteenth century? There 
is no logic in you; it is all made in Ger- 
many. 

Tolstoy: I had not so much in mind Egypt, 
India, South Africa, as some other — mis- 
takes. 

St. Francis [to the Englishman, eagerly] : O 

mio f ratello, some of us are not too deeply 

troubled by the present conflict. It is 

noisy ; it is to be deplored ; but it is super- 

194 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

ficial. The real menace is the war behind 
the war, beyond the war, within the war. 

Englishman [beivildered] : The war — be- 
hind the war, beyond the war, within the 
war? I don't understand. 

St. George : My son, until England keeps faith 
with England, she shall have no peace. 

Englishman [still more bewildered] : Keep 
faith with — you mean our muddle over 
the Home Rule Bill? 

American [his fever-bright eyes mocking the 
Englishman] : 
Open my soul and you shall see 
Engraved on my conscience — Ireland. 

He said England, you duffer. England's 
not Ireland. He's no Sinn Feiner; he's 
a member of the British Labor Party. 

St. George [unsheathing his sword] : Amen! 
— God and St. George for England ! 

Englishman [at his wits' end] : The British 
Labor Party, — St. George? 

i95 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

American [declaiming in his clear, delirious 
voice, while St. George stands with drawn 
sword, at salute] : 

"Men of England, heirs of glory, 
Heroes of unwritten story, 
Nurslings of one mighty mother, 
Hopes of her and one another! 

"Rise, like lions after slumber, 
In unvanquishable number!" 

Prompt me, Percy! — 

"Men of England, wherefore plough — " 

No ; I'm mixed. — Never mind ; it's all the 
same dope; 

"Men of England, wherefore plough 
For the lords who lay ye low? 
Wherefore weave with toil and care 
The rich robes your tyrants wear? 

"Sow seed, — but let no tyrant reap; 
Find wealth, — let no impostor heap; 
Weave robes, — let not the idle wear; 
Forge arms, — in your defence to bear." 
196 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

St. George: Until England keeps faith with 
England, she shall have no peace. 
[He sheathes his sword.~\ 

Tolstoy: [calling across from his niche~\: 
Still, it is not quite fair to imply that 
Shelley advocated violence. He was a 
non-resistant. 

St. Francis: O Leo mio, who would be con- 
sistent? Was not my whole propaganda 
founded on an inconsistency, — the ab- 
surdity that there must always be rich to 
minister to the little poor ones. But do 
I regret my propaganda? 

Tolstoy: Yet we failed, Francis Petrovitch, 
because we were inconsistent, you and I. 

St. Francis: Patience, brother; blessed are 
the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 
When you have lived out of the flesh a 
while longer, you will not be so sure we 
failed. It is true, we only scratched the 
surface of our problem. But in our 
scratches others are ploughing deep, and 
the seed is in the furrow. 
197 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

Jeanne d'Arc [musing] : Until England 
keep faith with England, and France 
keep faith with France. 

Poilu : And coming from you who are of the 
ancien regime, loyaliste, Mademoiselle, 
what does that mean? 

Jeanne d'Arc: I was a peasant, in France. 
For whom did I fight, then? For whom 
do I fight now ? 

Poilu [abandoning his cynic tone, and bow- 
ing low] : Ah, Mademoiselle, I never 
doubted. 

St. Elizabeth : Until England keep faith 
with England, and France keep faith with 
France, and Germany keep faith with 
Germany, — oh, my hungry poor ! 

Poilu: But you are saints, and you are un- 
happy ? How then, are you in heaven ? 

St. Elizabeth : We are as much in heaven as 
God is; we are one with God. 

St. Francis: Brother, God gave us earth; but 
we must give Him heaven. 
198 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

Englishman: But the war behind the war, 
beyond the war, within the war? 

German [suddenly, from his niche] : Ich ver- 
stehe jetzt! Im Himmel die Heiligen lesen 
Marx und Engels. 

Englishman [surly and suspicious] : What 
do you say? 

German: I say that the war behind the war. 
beyond the war, within the war, is the 
Class War. Warum nicht ? 

Englishman: Do you say so, Brother 
Francis ? 

St. Francis : Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Tolstoy: Or, as the Gospel according to St. 
Luke has it, — Blessed be ye poor; for 
yours is the Kingdom of God. 

German [reasoning laboriously] : Und so, you 

will say, if Heaven is the gift we give to 

God, and not around the other way about ; 

and if the poor, they are the ones that 

199 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

make heaven, they are the Himmelsarbei- 
tern, why — then — the more we have of 
poor, the bigger is the gift 

Englishman [impatiently, to St. Francis] : Is 
this an answer? 

St. Francis: Is it not? — Of course, I assume 
that you accept my premise, which is 
Christ. 

Tolstoy: Take my Russia for an answer, if 
it suits you better. 

Poilu : Merci beaucoup. But if it is the King- 
dom of Heaven in Russia, I will prefer to 
go to Paris, en permission. 

Tolstoy: Ah, no; I do not ask you to accept 
what they do in Russia, for an answer, — 
not yet, — but what they dream. 

Poilu: I have to take already the Church on 
that trust; not what she do but what she 
dream. But Russia, non! How do you 
say, mon lieutenant. — I am fool up ? 
[The American has been lying with eyes 
closed, as if oblivious to the discussion. 
200 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

Now he opens his fevered eyes, and 
looking up through and beyond the 
faces bending above him, he chants,~\ 

"Such is the weakness of all mortal hope, 
So fickle is the state of earthly things; 
That, ere they come unto their aimed scope, 
They fall too short of our frail reckonings, 
And bring us bale and bitter sorrowings'' 

[He becomes aware of the listening, pity- 
ing faces, and smiles.] Blessed are the 
peacemakers. Wake me up when they 
finish scrapping over Alsace-Lorraine. 

[He closes his eyes, and in the voice of one 
withdrawn, who meditates aloud, he says,] 

"O, goodly usage of those antique times, 
In which the sword was servant unto right; 
When not for malice and contentious crimes, 
But all for praise and proof of manly might, 
The martial brood accustomed to fight. 
Then honour was the meed of victory, 
And yet the vanquished had no despite. 
Let later age that noble use envy, 
Vile rancour to avoid and cruel surquedry." 

20J 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

[Jeanne 6! Arc motions to the Poilu, who 
wets the American's lips.] 

Englishman [in a low voice, to the Poilu] : 
Has a surgeon seen him? 

[The Poilu nods. Tolstoy comes from his 
niche and stands with the others, look- 
ing down on the American. The Ger- 
man follows, with St. Elizabeth and the 
Belgian Child.] 

American [opening his eyes and smiling on 
them all] : 

"And yet the vanquished had no despite/' 

Kiddie, would you mind fanning me a little 
while ? 

[The Englishman takes the cap from 
under his own helmet and gives it to 
the little Belgian, with a fanning ges- 
ture. She kneels beside the American 
and fans him gently. Tolstoy and the 
others kneel in a half circle round the 
wounded man. After a pause, the dis- 
cussion is resumed quietly. The Ameri- 
202 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

can lies with eyes closed, breathing 
faintly.] 

Englishman [to St. Francis]: From your 
point of view, I suppose the disposition 
of Alsace-Lorraine is not important. 

St. Francis : No ; I do not say that. It is one 
of the things that must be settled. 

Englishman: And how? 

St. Elizabeth [breaking into the conversa- 
tion] : My Germany must be generous 
and relinquish those provinces. 

Poilu : Generous ! She must be just. 

St. Elizabeth : Do you be just, and remem- 
ber that long ago she had them first. Let 
her be generous. She needs to be generous, 
for her soul's health. 

Jeanne d'Arc: And it shall be the part of 
France to give them the plebicite. 

Englishman: But Toynbee says the plebicite 
may be defeated perhaps by the geo- 
graphical distribution of the French and 
203 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

German sympathizers. — Have you read 
Toynbee ? 

St. Francis: The nephew, you mean, not the 
saint? I know his point of view. But 
geography and race must break down if 
conscience and goodwill storm the bar- 
riers. It is a question of brotherly love. 

Englishman: But that is a counsel of per- 
fection. 

St. Francis: What other counsel did you 
expect from me? 

Poilu: Touche! 

American [smiling, with eyes closed] : Go to 
it, fellas! 

German Prisoner [to St. Elisabeth] : Gnadige 
Frau, for why Germany must give up ? 

St. Elizabeth : My son, have you not heard, 
she is the greater aggressor in this war? 

German : I don't hear that in Germany. And 
if I hear it in France, why shall I believe 
it? 

204 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

American [speaking always with closed eyes] : 
Oh, Fritzie, cultivate a mind of your own ; 
be a sport. 

Englishman [to St. Francis]: And do you 
ask me to believe that this Bolshevik dis- 
play in Russia is a manifestation of 
brotherly love? 

St. Francis : Ay di me ! No ! 

Tolstoy [in a voice of anguish] : No ; but it 
is love in the making. Ah, brother, do not 
spoil the brew. Yours is the touchstone 
to transmute this alchemy, and will you 
have it hell-broth? O France! O Eng- 
land! O mine Enemy! — We must all 
drink of that cup. America! America! 

American [opening wide eyes and panting 
slightly] : Somebody called me — Was it 
France? — I was a long way off — some- 
where — thinking about the — pure in heart. 

St. Francis : Not France only, brother ; we 
are all calling you. 
205 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

American [communing with himself] : And 
they might call and call, — and I might 
come — and come — But if I'm not pure in 
heart — nothing doing. [For y a moment, 
his lips move voicelessly ; then, on a sud- 
den, he sits erect in the midst of the 
watchers.] For their sakes — I must see 
God — It's up to me! [He drops back on 
the straw.] 

[The others kneel in silence a few 
moments around the American's body. 
Then Jeanne d'Arc folds his hands 
across his breast, and the Poilu closes 
the dead eyes. St. George crosses the 
feet as crusaders' feet are crossed on 
old tombs.] 

St. Francis [making the sign of the cross 
above the American's body] : Praised be 
my Lord for our Sister, the death of the 
body, from which no man escapeth — 
Blessed are they who are found walking 
by thy most holy will, for the second 
death shall have no power to do them 
harm. 

206 



SANTA CONVERSAZIONE 

Englishman: "O Almighty God, who hast 
knit together thine elect in one communion 
and fellowship, in the mystical body of 
thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; Grant us 
grace so to follow thy blessed saints in all 
virtuous and godly living, that we may 
come to those unspeakable joys, which 
thou hast prepared for those who un- 
feignedly love thee; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen." 

The Spirit of the American [seen standing 
in the doorway, radiant in the moonlight] : 
Those unspeakable joys! O Brother 
Francis, Brother Francis, will you show 
me the shortest road to Paradise? I can- 
not wait. — We'll just stop long enough, on 
our way, to buck up the Alpini. 

St. Francis [joining the Spirit of the Ameri- 
can in the doorway, and lifting up hands 
in benediction upon those others, who 
kneel in the church beside the dead body] : 
Praised be my Lord for all those who 
pardon one another for his love's sake, and 
who endure weakness and tribulation: 
207 



GARMENTS OF PRAISE 

blessed are they who peaceably shall en- 
dure, for thou, O Most Highest, shall 
give them a crown. 

American Spirit [holding out nis hands in 
joy fid appeal] : Blessed are the pure in 
heart! — Wish me luck, fellas! 

Belgian Child [rising from her knees, and 
kissing her hand to the Spirit of the Amer- 
ican]: Au revoir, Monsieur TAmericain; 
sois beni ! 



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